Relay For Life team lend a helping hand and raise almost $50,000

The 2019 Penrith Relay For Life was once again a successful event, but one team stood out among the rest.

Team Helping Hands raised almost $50,000 during Penrith Relay For Life. Picture: Ellise Michelle Photography

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The 2019 Penrith Relay For Life was once again a successful event.

But one team stood out among the rest.

Team Helping Hands has again topped the list of most money raised during the Penrith event, raising close to $50,000.

Group leader, Kim Hicks, said it is a great feeling being able to support the Cancer Council.

“We go along because we want to raise money for the fight against cancer and try to have a cancer free future,” Ms Hicks said.

“Each year we try to do a little bit better than the previous year and we try as much as possible to share that recognition with everyone who participated in Relay.”

The crowd gathers at Penrith Relay For Life

This is the eighth year the team has participated in the fundraising event and during that time they have raised close to $300,000.

However, Ms Hicks said the event isn’t just about bringing in the dollars.

To all the group’s members there is a personal connection.

“Before last year’s event we lost two people out of our team to pancreatic cancer,” she said. “I have personally lost my dad, all of my grandparents and aunts and uncles, but everyone on our team has lost close family and some have also had cancer themselves.”

What makes Team Helping Hands different to other groups who participated is that they raise money all year round, both for Cancer Council and for various hospitals.

Team UNO in Penrith Relay For Life.

Ms Hicks said she and the other members are constantly motivated by the inspirational stories of patients and keep coming back to Relay because it is different every year.

“We keep meeting people with cancer and hearing their stories, which encourage us to realise that the Cancer Council needs more help,” she said. “I love Relay because it is always a good atmosphere and a feeling of community spirit. Events such as Miss Relay, the boxcar and the silent disco mean there is something for everyone to enjoy.”

Ms Hicks said next year they aim to raise more than this year.

Organisers are still tallying the total amount raised.