AFTER an advertising campaign that set tongues wagging on social media, this year’s Relay for Life in Dalgety Bay is ready for take off. 

The charity event brings teams of fundraisers together for 24 hours in aid of Cancer Research and it takes place on Saturday.

David Quinn, chairman of the Dalgety Bay Relay for Life group, said: “The Dalgety Bay event is probably one of the biggest Relay for Life events in Scotland now.

“The purple ribbons found across West Fife were there to start a ‘whisper’ campaign and it was great to hear everyone talking about them. We’ve raised in excess of £750,000 since we started 11 years ago and this year’s target is £80,000.”

Relay for Life is an event where teams fundraise throughout the year and then, over 24 hours, members of each team take turns to walk around the track to show that cancer never sleeps.

There are 26 teams this year and they must have at least one member on the track at all times. It starts at 10am on Saturday morning and lasts all the way through to the next day.

More than 40 people will take part in the survivors’ lap of honour, for those who have beaten cancer, and they will be provided with lunch by Louie Browns.

The poignant Candle of Hope ceremony, to pay tribute to those whose lives have been affected by the disease, starts at 10pm. 

It’s a tough challenge so event organisers are always keen to make sure that this year’s 360 participants are motivated throughout the day.

That means that the public will be welcome to attend from noon, with an inflatable zone for kids, a BBQ, stalls and face-painting, making it a fun day out for all the family. 

David agreed: “It’s a challenging event, a painful one because you’re not getting much sleep, but the team around you and the support from survivors who are there to cheer you on give you a reason to keep going.

“The 40 survivors are a visual representation too that you are there to beat cancer and there will be a silent disco from midnight to 6am to give people a bit of motivation.

“All sorts of teams take part, we’ve got families, churches, youth groups and football teams. They all have a common goal that they just want to beat cancer.”

The event will be open to the public between 12-5pm on Saturday for your chance to donate and support all those involved.

More information can be found on www.facebook.com/Relay-for-Life-Dalgety-Bay-121577587894828/