Group of childcare workers prepare for Penrith Relay For Life

For the last 10 years, a group of child care teachers impacted by cancer have been coming together for the Penrith Relay For Life where they “laugh, cry and everything in between”.

Team UNO is preparing to participate in Penrith Relay For Life for the tenth year in a row.

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For the past 10 years, a group of child care teachers impacted by cancer have been coming together for the Penrith Relay For Life where they “laugh, cry and everything in between”.

The women, who call themselves Team UNO, have become a staple of the fundraising event and the butter chicken they sell is one of highlights among hungry walkers.

They will be one of the groups walking in Saturday’s 18th event at Penrith Paceway and hope to raise $5000 for the Cancer Council.

Team UNO is made up of childcare workers who have been friends for over 20 years.

Member Stephanie Ericson said the main reason she keeps coming back year after year is not only down to her love of the event, but for a personal reason.

“Aside from the fact that one of our members has just fought cancer, my husband has had cancer and everybody knows at least one person close to them who has been affected by cancer,” Ms Ericson said.

“It is also a lovely event - we laugh, cry and everything in between.”

All the members of the group are former colleagues and have known each other for more than 20 years.

Ms Ericson said the group now use Penrith Relay For Life as a yearly reunion.

Team UNO are known for their food, in particular their butter chicken.

“We don’t always see each other and Relay For Life brings us together and sparks the friendship up again,” she said.

“We just enjoy it and it is something we all love and every year Relay For Life has to happen.”

The Penrith Relay for Life hosts loads of activities during the 24 hour event, where people walk laps and can join in the activities including the boxcar lap, the crowning of Miss Relay, a silent disco, fireworks, performances and much more.

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But as Ms Ericson points out, the main purpose of the event is to raise funds for cancer research.

“Unfortunately, like everyone else, we’re relaying for people we loved who didn’t beat this terrible disease in hope that one day this thing called cancer won’t exist,” she said.

“So why do we relay? We relay for friendship, fun, love, life, survival, community spirit, family values and so so much more.”

Register/donate: www.cancercouncil.com.au/event/relay-for-life-penrith/