Twenty hour cancer walk helps raise more than £50,000

5:04pm Sunday 5th July 2009

By Kevin Bradford

A POIGNANT memorial event to remember the victims and sufferers of cancer concluded in Edgware this morning.

The Relay for Life took place in the grounds of the North London Collegiate School, in Canons Drive, and involved hundreds of people taking turns to walk a lap of the sports track from 1pm yesterday until 9am today.

A committee of 60 17-year-old pupils spent two years organising the event, and described it as a chance to celebrate those who are surviving the disease, support those who are still fighting and remember those lost.

More than 30 teams of pupils, teachers and parents took part in the event and in total raised more than £50,000 for Cancer Research UK.

One of the organisers, sixth former Jahnavi Emmanuel, said it had been a tiring journey to get the day prepared.

“Everyone has pulled together so much over the past few weeks and it is amazing to know we made it,” said Jahnavi, adding that it all became more of a personal passion for her after both her grandfathers were diagnosed with cancer while she was helping to plan the event.

“Those sorts of things make it more poignant but it has been really important in raising the awareness of the cancer message.

“Some of the younger children may not be that exposed to cancer in family or friends and it has really helped them understand more. It has been fun but combining the two aspects has been great.”

Each of the teams of ten had their own personalised marquee, while live music, dance and yoga kept visitors entertained as the walkers took part in the 20 hour event.

Candles of hope were also lit and placed in bags carrying personal messages around the edge of the track in the late evening. A silent lap of contemplation took place after a candlelit ceremony which featured readings and songs.

Cancer survivor Robert Twelvetrees, who was diagnosed with bladder cancer 17 years ago, spoke at the ceremony of his experiences and offered hope to those still suffering.

“Because I have had the experience I can pass on a bit of knowledge to try to make the lives of others a bit easier,” said the 76-year-old, who spent a year learning to walk again after a series of operations to remove the disease.

“If there is light at the end of the tunnel, then people need to remember to focus on it.

“Since I was cleared 13 years ago I have never really talked about it until this event. It is very difficult because I have suffered from it and it does open up old wounds.

“But I am so full of admiration for the girls putting on this show and it is something I cannot express enough gratitude for them offering me this opportunity.”