West Coast Relay for Life 2026 is happening this weekend at Arena Joondalup from Saturday, October 24, at 10am.
The 24-hour event managed by Cancer Council WA seeks to raise funds for cancer research, prevention and support services.
Teams or individuals raise money prior to the event and then run or walk laps in the arena for an entire day to symbolise how cancer never stops.
This year, Warwick Senior High School has raised the most so far out of all the groups and individuals taking part, reaching almost $24,000 out of a $30,000 goal.
Warwick SHS associate principal Jason Tomlinson said this had been their most successful year.
“We’re only a school of about 800 students and each year that we take part we’re usually in the top three or five schools in the State, so we always punch above our weight in terms of what we raise,” he said.
Mr Tomlinson said this year’s success was thanks to Year 10 co-ordinator and maths teacher Anthony Mayo, who has really pushed the campaign.
“My family has been affected by cancer, so it’s a cause that’s deeply meaningful to me,” Mr Mayo said.
“I really wanted to get as many students involved as I could and I talked about it to everyone that wanted to know.”
Just like Mr Mayo, many of the students involved have been impacted by cancer through family members and friends, which contributed to the community’s involvement.
“There are nine teachers involved and it’s all volunteer work. It’s a huge effort from a lot of people to do an activity like this and it’s because these people really care, and our students have tried their hardest to raise money,” Mr Mayo said.
The school’s contribution to Relay for Life began 12 years ago with four teachers who had experienced the loss of someone important in their lives due to cancer.
Over the years, the event has become a school tradition and in 2024 the school received the Tammy Wilkins Spirit of Relay Award for a decade of dedication and commitment.
Mr Mayo and Mr Tomlinson said the school will continue to contribute to Relay for Life for as long as they can.
“It’s all about raising money for cancer research and if we can raise a lot of money, it means the bigger schools are more inclined to try and get more money as well, so hopefully by us raising more, other schools will raise more,” Mr Mayo said.