By Jessica Micallef
A Gisborne mother and son have forged a formidable cancer-fighting team.
Sarah Dale has been participating in the Lancefield and Macedon Ranges Relay for Life for four years.
Her son, Tyson Dale, has been running in the relay for three years.
Ms Dale said their relay efforts followed the death of her father, Richard, from asbestos cancer on Christmas Eve in 2014.
“A friend was starting up a team … she was doing a letter drop,” she said.
“I thought it was the right time – I just wanted to do something.”
The team captain suggested to Ms Dale that she should create her own team.
“So I asked Tys … and he said, ‘Let’s do it’,” she said.
“Having your own team, it’s a totally different experience.”
As part of this year’s relay, held earlier this month, their team, The Lion Hearts, raised $5360 through sausage sizzles, a bingo night and the sales of can coolers and wrist bands.
And they’re far from finished – Ms Dale and Tyson are already looking ahead to next year’s relay and have organised an outdoor family movie night for early next month.
Tyson said: “Each year, if you raise $5000, you get a research grant … you get to pick which cancer research it goes to so that’s why we wanted to raise $5000.”
Ms Dale said the movie night would include a jumping castle, animal farms and mini-golf.
“The local footy club is doing a sausage sizzle and we’ve got a candy hub with popcorn and fairy floss and confectionery,” she said.
The movie night feature film will be Incredibles 2 and tickets cost $10 each or $30 for a “carload”.
Ms Dale said the relay events were perfect for raising money for a “great cause”.
“It’s just about the people,” she said. “It’s fun and emotional and it’s just fabulous.
“We’re all there for that same common goal.”
The outdoor movie night will be on Saturday, April 6, from 4pm at Riddells Creek Recreation Reserve.
For tickets: bit.ly/2UBVE3k
