Countdown to Blairgowrie Race for Life

Jul 1 2008 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

THIS year’s Cancer Research UK Relay for Life in Blairgowrie will be off and running in nine weeks.

The event kicks off at the town’s rugby club on Saturday, August 23, at noon.

The opening ceremony will be by Colin Henderson, staff scientist and honorary senior lecturer at the Biomedical Research Centre in Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, which is funded by Cancer Research UK.

All the money raised helps to fund Cancer Research UK's world class research to improve understanding of the disease and investigate how best to prevent, diagnose, and treat, different forms of cancer.

The main corporate sponsorship theme this year is sponsor a post.

Local businesses have the opportunity to purchase advertising space around the track by means of an A4, laminated sign at a cost of £5 each. Please contact Lynsey Isles on 07772 851365 if you would like to sponsor a post.

One of the memorable parts of the relay is the Candle of Hope Ceremony at 10pm. As dusk falls, candles that have been dedicated to loved ones are placed around the track, lit, and left to burn long into the night.

Candle bags will be available in Tesco, Welton Road, on July 11-13 and August 15-17.

The highlight of the closing ceremony on Sunday, August 24, will be a balloon race at noon when 1000 balloons will be released.

Donations can be made to Sandra Isles, chairman of Relay for Life Blairgowrie on 01250 875277 and on-line at www.donatetomyrelay.org.