Bunnings staff walk for workmates

AFTER the deaths of two staff members from cancer, the Lismore Bunnings Warehouse team is walking the Relay for Life this weekend with motivation.

Rachel Spinaze and Ashley Waring (in front) are joining other Bunnings staff members parting part in this weekend’s Lismore Relay for Life to raise money for the Cancer Council. . Picture: Cathy Adams

AFTER the deaths of two staff members from cancer, the Lismore Bunnings Warehouse team is walking the Relay for Life this weekend with a strong sense of personal motivation.

The Relay for Life will be held at Southern Cross University on Saturday and will see about 1000 locals walking the oval from 2pm on Saturday through to 9am on Sunday to raise money for the NSW Cancer Council’s Far North Coast office.

The team of 28 Bunnings workers will participate in the event for the third time in tribute to former employees Holly Marks Denman and Phil Green, who died last year.

Team member Ashley Waring, 23, said there was extra motivation this year to raise money for what was already a good cause.

“We have had a couple of team members who have passed away and that makes it more personal,” Mr Waring said.

“I think it will really hit home when we start the relay and we will be remembering that they were with us last year.”

Holly Marks Denman was part of the Bunnings team that participated in the 2008 Relay for Life, which managed to raise $80,000.

Relay for Life committee member and Bunnings activities co-ordinator, Jenni Ruane, remembers the shock caused by her colleagues’ deaths and hopes to carry on their legacy this year.

“It was pretty horrific,” she said.

“Holly had survived surgery so she had been living with it for a long time and she was fairly young. Phil was this lovely guy who we all loved and it was a bit of a shock to us.

“We are like a big family at work, so it is even more important that we do the walk this year.

“Holly was there the last time we did it and we all made a banner for that year’s relay, so we will be using the same one again this year.

“It’s a really good thing to do and is something that is close to me. We are all touched by cancer at some time.”

The Bunnings team will divide into two groups and join other local groups, who will walk the track from Saturday afternoon right through to Sunday morning with the aim of keeping at least one team member on the track at all times.

There also will be market and food stalls, kids’ activities and a fireworks display at the event.

Teams can still register for therelay online at: www.relayforlife.org.au

Originally published as Bunnings staff walk for workmates