THE first ever Relay for Life event to be held in Crediton to raise funds for Cancer Research UK takes place this weekend.

The 24-hour walking relay aims to bring together the community to celebrate the strides being made to beat the disease and raise funds to enable this to continue.

During the event at Lords Meadow Leisure Centre's rugby pitch, team members will take turns to walk or run around a track while the rest of the team, as well as general supporters, enjoy fun activities. These include live music, a quiz, five-a-side football, stalls, face painting and refreshments including a hog roast.

The event runs from 2pm on Saturday, September 11, to 2pm on Sunday, September 12.

Two cancer survivors will open the event. At 10pm on Saturday evening, a Candle of Hope ceremony will be held and the track will be lit up with candles dedicated to a cancer survivor or in remembrance of someone.

Julie Farrell, 46, a legal secretary from Crediton, is among the participants.

She said: "I wanted to do it because it's in Crediton and I had a friend who died of throat cancer recently.

"I wanted to join a team rather than organise one of my own, so I was put in touch with Cheriton Fitzpaine 2nd XI football team who I will be joining for the event."

As a member of Creedy Walkers, Julie is not daunted by the physical challenge.

To help her team raise money, she is selling special glow-in-the-dark keyrings which she made herself from parachute cord.

Clare Thierens, chairman of the event committee, said four teams, each with around ten members, had signed up and there would possibly be a couple more.

"People not in a team are very welcome to come along," she said.

The 20-year-old from Sandford, who is studying events management at Plymouth University, decided to organise the Relay for Life after hearing a Cancer Research UK representative give a talk about the events the charity runs.

"The Relay for Life sounded like something for everyone," said Clare, who has lost members of her family to cancer.

"There was a Relay for Life in Tedburn St Mary in 2008 but there hasn't been one in Crediton and there is a nice community spirit there."

A large group of volunteers will help Clare to ensure the event goes smoothly.

The event's mascot is a giant banana.

"The costume was originally bought on a whim because it was bright and eye-catching," said Clare. "Then it became tied in with promoting healthy living and reducing the risk of getting cancer."

More than £1,500 has been raised for the charity already, which Clare said was good as preparations for the event only started in May.

There is no entrance fee and everyone is encouraged to attend the event. For more information, call 07854 334484, or visit www.cancerresearchuk. org/relay/venues/cred iton.