24 Hour Fight against Cancer at Campbelltown

On the weekend of the Saturday 17^th October 2015 until Sunday 18^th October, over 1200 caring and compassionate people from the Macarthur area, south of Sydney, NSW, joined together to support the Macarthur 24hr Fight Against Cancer.

Some of the participators were suffering from cancer; some had lost loved ones to cancer or had loved ones that are suffering now from cancer. All were committed to the cause of raising funds and willingly gave their time and energy to walk laps around the Campbelltown Sports Stadium.

The 24 Hour Fight Against Cancer Macarthur is an annual fundraising movement that exists to provide the Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centre, the Oncology Ward and the Pediatric Ambulatory Care Unit at Campbelltown Hospital and the Palliative Care Unit and associated Outreach service at Camden Hospital with the extra services and equipment they need to assist in the treatment, care and comfort of children and adults dealing with cancer. Over 3 million has been raised by this event in the past 10 years.

Lunch burgers were much appreciated

RRT was privileged to be included this year as an official sponsor and support team providing over 80 volunteers in 6 separate shifts operating over the course of the day.  RRT supplied bottled water to the walkers, a Morning Tea for VIPs which included local Members of Parliament, Councillors and Major Event Sponsors as well as dinner to over 300 participators.

Sweets for the VIPs Sandwiches for morning tea

The RRT arrived on site at 6am to get all the tents and cooking equipment into place. By 7.30am the gates were opened and all the teams and support groups arrived and filled the centre of the stadium with tents etc as they set themselves up for a long day. At 10am was the official opening ceremony and then the walking commenced, to continue for the next 24 hours.

As the temperature climbed to just below 30⁰, those on the track got hotter and hotter and the cool bottles of water were very welcome!  Over 4700 bottles were donated during the course of the day.

Over 4700 bottles were handed out!

Morning tea consisting of sandwiches, cakes, salmon canapes, mini lemon tarts and a selection of cakes and handmade fudges served with delicious fruit punches and tea and coffee were very welcomed by the VIPs.

Fruit kebabs on offer

Dinner consisted of a gourmet beef or vegan burger, hot chips and a side of apple crumble, or chocolate brownie along with cold and hot drinks. We served over 300 people with 100% of proceeds going to the cause.

The whole occasion was marked with a level of seriousness and reflection on suffering that has touched almost all of us in our communities, and the privilege and responsibility of being involved has left an indelible impression on us all and particular our young team of volunteers.

3 cheers for a great effort for all involved to make such a great day happen.