The Euroa community has come together in an extraordinary show of support, raising more than $108,500 for Cancer Council Victoria at the return of Relay For Life to the North East.
Twenty-six teams and 379 relayers took part in the 24-hour event at the Euroa Showgrounds, held from 11am Saturday 7 November through to 11am Sunday 8 November.
The fundraising effort smashed the event’s $80,000 target, marking the first Relay For Life in the North East in more than a decade and the first 24-hour community event in Euroa since COVID.
Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland, who officially opened the event, said the turnout and generosity of the community was a powerful reminder of how many local families have been affected by cancer.
“To see 379 people come together, form 26 teams and raise more than $108,000 is an incredible effort,” Ms Cleeland said.
“But behind every dollar raised is a story. There are families who have been through treatment, people who are still fighting, those caring for loved ones and those who are remembering someone they have lost.
“Almost everyone in our community has a connection to cancer in some way, and that is why events like this matter so much.
“It was wonderful to see Euroa come together again for something that means so much to so many people.”
Ms Cleeland paid tribute to local organiser Bibby Simmons, whose hard work and determination brought Relay For Life back to the region.
“Bringing an event of this size back after more than ten years is no small undertaking. Bibby has put an enormous amount of work into making this happen, and she should be incredibly proud of what the community has achieved,” Ms Cleeland said.
Ms Cleeland also spoke about the personal impact of cancer on local families, acknowledging that the challenges extend well beyond a diagnosis.
“For families, cancer can mean long drives for treatment, difficult conversations, uncertainty and months of putting life on hold. And for those who have lost someone, the impact doesn’t simply disappear when treatment ends or the funeral is over,” she said.
“Relay For Life gives people an opportunity to come together, share those experiences, remember the people they love and show others that they aren’t facing it alone.”
The leading fundraising teams were the 21 Ladybugs ($19,877), The Unstoppables ($11,699), No One Walks Alone ($10,156), the Euroa Croquet Club ($7,675) and the Musketeers ($6,619).
Money raised will support Cancer Council Victoria’s work across cancer research, prevention and support services, including SunSmart and Quit programs and its 13 11 20 support line.
In 2025, cancer nurses responded to 9,810 requests for assistance through the support line.
Anyone affected by cancer can contact Cancer Council Victoria on 13 11 20 for information, guidance and support.
