Staff at Beyond Bank Australia are dusting off their sneakers and running shorts to support Relay for Life events across the Hunter.
Beyond Bank has been a big supporter of the event for the past seven years, more recently as Regional Partner contributing more than $65,000 for the Cancer Council.
Many Beyond Bank staff get involved and volunteer each year for Relay for Life, by participating in a number of events in Newcastle, Maitland and across the Hunter.
“We are delighted that so many of our people want to get involved,” said Ray O’Brien, General Manager of Distribution. “What we have found is that every staff member who takes part has their own personal reason for choosing to participate and raise funds for cancer research.”
Participants this year will include Jacqui Parkinson from the Glendale branch who will honour her mother and stepmother, both of whom she has lost to cancer. Jacqui will be joined by her daughter.
“Relay for Life is a great event for families to spend time together, but also to raise our children’s awareness of the impact of cancer without alarming them,” Jacqui explained.
Sally Deakin from the Singleton branch attended the Muswellbrook Relay for Life event last year after losing a dear friend only weeks beforehand.
“This was the first relay I participated in and it was a special night for us all to reflect on our beautiful friend who was so vibrant and full of life,” explained Sally. “I feel lucky to be able to support such an important cause in a very personal way.”
One staff member says her involvement is a way to give back and help in the fight against cancer. ”Relay for Life is a great way to help the community,” Paula Pepper of the East Maitland branch said. “It brings us all together in supporting a cause that has touched every one of us in some way. I am proud to work for an organisation that gets behind such an important local event.”
Karen Blundell from Glendale branch reveals she has chosen to get involved with Relay for Life because she has personally been impacted by cancer, just as she knows it affects many local families. “Cancer touches all of us, which struck a chord with me,” Karen said. “The Relay for Life events allow people to get involved at a local level. I have been involved for many years in some form or another. It is such a great community event.”
Relay for Life began in Australia in 1999 and each year more than 130,000 people join in around the nation. Their efforts have raised more than $24 million for vital cancer research.
Beyond Bank staff would love as many people from the local community as possible to join them at a Relay for Life event. Information can be found at www.relayforlife.org.au
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