THE Marches and Mid Wales Relay for Life in aid of Cancer Research UK took place recently on the playing fields of John Beddoes School campus in Presteigne. Lots of teams and individual walkers took part over a 24 hour period starting at noon on Saturday and finishing at noon on Sunday. Before the main event Michelle Williams committee chairman for the relay gave a big thanks to everyone for coming and wished them all the best while they took park. Next there was a walk around the track by survivors who carried a banner thanking everyone for their help. This lap 'the Survivors lap' ended with a huge round of applause. Wendy George then read a poem she had written about the Presteigne relay. Special guests for the day were then introduced first was Mick Fryer who was one of the people who started the Relay for Life in Presteigne two years ago. The next guest was Colin Kirkby M.B.E. who talked about taking part in the relay adding "a special time for me was walking around the field in the middle of the night". The last guest was Kerry Lee race horse trainer, Kerry said "First of all, may I wish you all a very warm welcome to today's fantastic Marches and Mid Wales Relay for Life event, you are all amazing for supporting such a fantastic cause in Cancer Research UK". She continued by saying "I'm a Race Horse trainer, but this isn't about professions or titles, this is a cause that brings us all together to do one thing and that is to fight cancer". Kerry told everyone a bit more about how she had grown up and works in the area, she praised Michelle and her team for organising the event and said how she couldn't help but be impressed by the survivors lap of honour. She finished by saying "Thank you very much for inviting me, and to everyone here, enjoy the day and keep up the superb work that is being done by all of you to overcome cancer". She then officially started the Relay with a 'Ready Steady Go!' The relay began and the Builth Male Voice choir sang for several laps. They were followed throughout the day by bands and singers from the school as well as local bands, singers and music provided by Elwyn Powell.

At the end of the 24 hours all the walkers did a conga for the final lap, then warm down exercises with Emily George and thanks were said by Maria Parker Cancer Research UK local fundraising manager, Kerry Lee and Michelle Williams thanked everyone who took part, their sponsors, those who helped during the event and everyone else who contributed in any other way. She then announced that £19,000 had been raised so far. There was then a special 'spirit of the relay award" that went to Patrick Evans who had come all the way from Eastbourne to take part bringing with him a tent and barbecue. The event finished with the raffle with prizes including the hire of at BMW for the weekend, 12 bottles of wine, jewellery, flowers and many more.