Low crowd no deterrent as teams pull closer to goal

Despite low community turnout, 80 participants are on track to reach their $17K goal.

LANDERS LEAD: Bryan Vickery and Kaitlyn Landers, of team The Face of Mumma Trace, lead the lap for survivors and carers at Relay for Life in Roma on Saturday. Picture: Ellen Ransley

DESPITE a disappointing turnout from the extended community, the 80 participants who relayed on Saturday are on track to smash their fundraising goal.

Relay for Life Roma captain Tori Fleeting said it was a "bloody awesome” effort that teams had been able to raise more than$16,000 so far, with donations accepted for six more weeks.

"Our goal was $17,000 so I think, once the teams bank all their money and we wait for some last-minute donations, we should be able to meet that,” she said.

"We thought it was going to be a big community event but mostly the people who were there were participants, which was a bit of a shame.

"Without the support from our local community, we won't be able to keep the event going, which would be really disappointing.”

Once upon a time, Cities Oval would be full of tents,with fundraising goalsof $100,000 easily smashed.

"To think we're only just going to scrape into our $17,000 goal,” Ms Fleeting said.

"We all tried really hardbut we really need to hear from the community about what they want fromthe committee next year to make it bigger and better.

"The Landers family tried really hard and they, as a family, said it was what theyneeded to celebrate Tracy's life and to make her proud.

"They were miles ahead of all the other teams in terms of how much money they had raised.

"They said they were happy with any money raised for cancer research, that was the goal for them and it meant the world to them that people supported them.”

To donate to Roma Relay for Life, head to secure.fundraising. cancer.org.au and search Roma.

Originally published as Low crowd no deterrent as teams pull closer to goal