’Get signed up and get fundraising,’ is the message from Relay for Life organiser Lynn Bell.

The event, which raises money for Cancer Research UK, is being held this year at the NSC on August 26 and 27. Teams of 8 - 15 people will between them walk for 24 hours around the track.

Last year’s event attracted nearly 1,000 participants in 50 teams:

’This year we already have 40 teams signed up so it looks like we’re going to have an even bigger and better event,’ reported Lynn.

The event has three themes running through the 24 hours: Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back.

For the Celebrate element a group of ’VIP’ survivors are honoured at a reception before the event begins then take part in the first lap which is the Survivors’ Lap of Honour. Anyone who has ever received a cancer diagnosis is invited to join Relay for Life as VIP guest, and to lead the festivities by taking part in the. Survivors are also encouraged to invite a caregiver - someone who has looked after them or been a friend during their illness - to join the celebrations, too

The Remember theme is covered in the Candle of Hope ceremony which takes place as evening draws in. One thousand candle bags are lit and there is a quiet time for remembering friends and loved ones who have lost their lives to cancer.

Fight Back is the theme at the end of the relay, at midday the following day when the survivors will once again take to the track to walk the final lap.

Before the event the teams get busy fundraising through events such as cake bakes and bingo nights and a ’league’ on the Relay for Life website shows how much teams and individuals have raised so far.

’Teams get quite competitive!’ said Lynn.

Last year the event raised a staggering £132,000 which was the second highest amount achieved by any of the Relay for Life events which take place all across the UK. The target for this year is £143,000 and Lynn is hoping that as many teams as possible will get signed up and help to reach this total. Entry is free for everyone taking part.

PokerStars are this year’s event sponsors and Sue Hammett, Department Head, Corporate Giving at the company said:

’PokerStars is delighted to be taking over the Relay for Life baton this year here on the Isle of Man. We are excited to be part of such an inspiring community event which raises an incredible amount of money and look forward to getting our staff involved to help raise even more funds. We are also proud to continue our long term support of Cancer Research UK and do something for them on the Island we call our home ’

You can find more information and a link to sign up on the Relay for Life Isle of Man Facebook page.