Relay for Life will return to Witney (From Witney Gazette)

Relay for Life will return to Witney

1:35pm Friday 4th July 2008 in Witney By David Horne

THE man behind Oxfordshire's first cancer fundraising Relay For Life is promising the event will be repeated next year.

Barry Jessel, an RAF Brize Norton Squadron Leader, said it has been hailed as 'a roaring success', and money is still coming in to boost the £50,000 already raised.

As reported in the Gazette, more than 300 people took part on June 28 in teams of walkers around a relay track at West Witney playing fields to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Some of them were cancer survivors, while others have lost family and friends to the disease.

Sqn Ldr Jessel said this week: "The atmosphere over the weekend was electric.

"It gave everyone a sense of belonging and doing some good.

"Many businesses, and Witney Town Council, have already pledged their support for next year's Relay, to be held over the same weekend at West Witney.

"It is hoped that the Relay will become an annual event for Witney, as the representative town for Relay For Life in Oxfordshire."

Support from local businesses, including 33 sponsors, helped make the event a success. There was also a display by the RAF Falcons parachute display team from Brize Norton, while chefs from the base ran the catering for the 24-hour event, and music was provided by the Len Gannon band.

Already planning is under way for next year.

Anyone wanting to take part, either as participant, organising committee member, or business willing to sponsor, can contact organisers at relayforlifewitney@hotmail.co.uk The event raised in excess of the £50,000 target, with further cash pledges still to come in.

Online donations can still be made until July 27 via the website donatetomyrelay.com