‘I’m not done’ - Jarrow Relay for Life organiser promises to continue fundraising efforts
The Jarrow Relay for Life organiser has said farewell to the popular charity event but pledges to continue fundraising.
The organiser of the Jarrow Relay for Life has promised to continue her fundraising efforts despite calling time on the charity event.
The Relay took place on Saturday, July 11, at Monkton Stadium, as around 300 people looked to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.
Ann Walsh has organised the event since it began in 2007 after her dad was diagnosed with lung cancer - raising more than a total of £1million in the process.
‘I’m not done’
Speaking to the Gazette on Monday, July 13, Ann has revealed that despite it being the end of the Relay for Life, it isn’t the end of her fundraising journey.
She said: “Everyone had a really good time and they were sad and disappointed that there won’t be another one.
“I feel a bit guilty that I’ve said it’s the last one but it isn’t the end of the fundraising - it’s too soon to think about what’s next but I’m not done.
“I thought I’d be really upset at the end but I wasn’t. Instead, I found myself getting emotional at moments throughout the day.
“It is an emotional event anyway, whether it is your first one or your last one because of the very nature of it.
“One of the highlights was watching the second half of the England match together because I was worried about how many people would be at the candle ceremony at 10pm - but around 200 people were there and no one rushed off the match.”
A huge fundraising effort
Ann has also praised the fundraising efforts of those who took part and thanked everyone for their help over the years.
She commented: “I set the target at £80,000 and I have been thinking that we’d never hit that.
“Last week, we were just under £50,000 and now we’re at £63,000 with loads more money still to come in.
“We don’t finish fundraising until October so there is still a few more events to go so that £80,000 is seeming like a possibility now.
“I think that will take us close to a total of £1.2million over the 17 Relays.
“I just want to say a massive thank you to anyone who has been involved in anyway over the years.”
You view and donate to the fundraiser at: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/relayforlife-jarrow2026.