Disappointed last year when her team pulled out of the WA Cancer Council’s Joondalup Wanneroo Relay for Life at the last minute, she had to make a choice: go home and try to form another team in 2013, or soldier on alone. Lucy chose to soldier on alone.
The next 24 hours were tough on Lucy, but she kept going knowing any sponsorship money she raised would help the council in its fight against cancer. Her grandfather had died of cancer 12 months earlier, and a close aunt was ill with cancer; reason enough Lucy thought, to keep on walking.
‘I stayed and walked around the arena 20 out of the 24 hours,’ Lucy said. ‘At the finish I was pretty sore and for two days after the relay, I could barely walk.’
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READ NOWThis year, Lucy’s sister Emma Walton (28) has taken the reins and formed a team called Coco’s Party Creations. ‘There will be no more 20 hours’ walking for Lucy,’ Emma said. ‘We have a good team to share the relay laps.’
However, Lucy is determined to be different at this year’s event on October 19 and 20, at Arena Joondalup. Inspired by seeing her aunt go temporarily bald with chemotherapy treatment, Lucy plans to have her head shaved on stage during the relay.
The hair-cutting task will go to a ‘lucky bidder’ at the relay auction on the Saturday night.
‘So far we have raised $1000 in sponsorship for the head shaving,’ Lucy said. ‘But we are talking to a few local businesses, so hopefully more money will come in.’
Meanwhile, Emma is busy baking and selling ‘treat packs’ of caramel slices and muffins while other team members are out and about fundraising, too. However, more teams are needed for the event. For more information, call 0497 384 486 or email relayteams joondalup-wanneroo@gmail.com