Chamber backs Relay for Life

The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has confirmed its backing for the Peninsula Relay for Life following a presentation by the Cancer Council to the recent Chamber Dinner at Barluka Tapas Bar at Ettalong Markets.

"The Chamber supports the Peninsula Relay for Life to be held on March 15 and will be encouraging all businesses to take part in the event," Peninsula Chamber vice president Mr Tom Tregent said.

"In recent years, the Chamber has supported the Cancer Council's fundraising efforts through the Brisbane Water Oyster Festival Charity Queen Event which has seen over $120,000 raised for breast cancer research.

"The Relay for Life is just another way that businesses can help raise funds for cancer research.

"Relay for Life is an overnight teams event where participants take it in turns to walk, skip or run their way around an oval, having fun, meeting other members of their community, and raising funds to defeat cancer.

"Teams are encouraged to camp out overnight, theme their outfits and their tents and do something about cancer in their community in a simple and social way.

"It's a great team-building, fun event.

"Importantly, it's potentially a great community-spirit building event.

"It focuses the community in a common cause.

"It engages the community in the fight against cancer.

"It allows ordinary people the opportunity to make a difference and directly fund research and it gives people hope for a cancer-free future.

"We are calling on businesses to make a contribution to the event by cash sponsorship, in kind sponsorship, having a stall or advertising at the event or simply entering a team."

The Chamber stated that sponsorship could provide opportunities for local businesses to engage with participants and to be seen as a real contributor to the unique Peninsula community.

"Let's make the second week of March 2008 relay week and make the event a really significant community event," Mr Tregent said.

For more information on supporting this community event, telephone sponsorship co-ordinator Kevin McCaskie on 0403 013 420 or contact Lesley Chart at lesleyc@nswcc.org.au or 4325 5444.

Press release, 9 Feb 2008 Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce