THE NSW Cancer Council will continue to assess support levels for a Relay for Life event despite a failed community meeting.
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New England area Cancer Council representatives travelled to Tenterfield last Wednesday to host a community gathering in preparation for a mooted 2016 fundraising event.
The meeting attracted zero attendees forcing Cancer Council NSW to re-evaluate their plans.
“We unfortunately had no one turn up to our community information meeting which was disappointing,” Cancer Council Community Relations Coordinator Ashleigh Worldon said.
“At this stage we would love for the relay to still go ahead - we just need to find some motivated locals to get the ball rolling.”
Ms Worldon and Cancer Council Community Programs Co-ordinator Paul Hobson had been on a mini tour of the region to gauge support for future events.
The pair said they were blown away by the support they’d received in Emmaville with approximately 50 people turning out for an information meeting and barbecue.
“Emmaville really came together – it usually starts with a small group and grows from there,” Ms Worldon said.
In 2010, the Tenterfield community participated in the fundraising event in a bid to help make the biggest possible difference in the fight against cancer.
Collectively the community raised $35,000 which has enabled Cancer Council NSW to make a difference in Tenterfield with a number of new programs and services introduced to the area.
The pair says they are hopeful of attracting similar support for a 2016 event but will play it by ear at this stage.
“For every $1.00 raised at Relay, Cancer Council NSW will invest $1.50 back into the region,” Ms Worldon said.
If they can gain support they will look to establish a local committee to help prepare the event.
“We rely a lot on local communities – we can’t do it without their support,” Mr Hobson said.
With the Mother’s Day Classic breast cancer fundraiser having just wrapped Mr Hobson said they like to work in tandem with similar events.
“We always try to be wary of other organisations and events to avoid clashes.
“This won’t be forced and we’ll give it our best shot but at the end of the day we rely on local support to go ahead with it,” Mr Hobson said.
