Relay For Life celebrates the power of community fundraising in the fight to beat cancer. Teams of friends, families and colleagues fundraise for research to save and improve lives, then unite as a community at an event to honour everyone affected by cancer and celebrate the progress we’re making to beat it.
The event is focused around a relay where team members take turns completing an activity – whether that be laps of a track, walks through a park or some other challenge – to show that step by step, together we are beating cancer.
Anyone is welcome, regardless of age or fitness level. Team up and embark on an incredible fundraising journey that will make a real difference.
Start a team
Bring together 8-15 family members, friends or colleagues and even get the kids involved. Set a target and lead your team to fundraising success. Team Captains must be over 18.
Join a team
Know someone who’s started a team? Join them and encourage others to do the same! You’ll have fun and gain an amazing sense of achievement as you celebrate smashing your fundraising target at an unforgettable event.
Take part as a Survivor
Anyone who has ever lived with cancer is invited to join us. Survivors lead the festivities and begin the walk with a lap of honour, inspiring others with their incredible strength. Survivors can also join or start their own team.
We’re part of an international movement of over four million Relayers taking part in 6,000 Relay For Life events across the globe. Together, we’ve raised over $6.9bn as a worldwide collective to beat cancer.
Joining Relay For Life is free. Teams of friends and family fundraise for world-leading cancer research, then unite as a community at an event to honour everyone affected by cancer and celebrate the progress we’re making to beat it.
Team members take it in turns to complete an activity - whether that be walking laps of a track, routes through a park, or some other challenge! Everyone is welcome, no matter age or ability. Every step counts. The whole family can enjoy a variety of games and music from talented local performers and learn about Cancer Research UK’s scientific breakthroughs.
Each Relay is organised by a dedicated local volunteer committee delivering an incredible celebration as we honour survivors of cancer, our special guests.
As darkness falls, Relayers gather for the poignant Candle of Hope ceremony. Finally, the closing ceremony inspires us all to continue in our efforts to beat cancer.
The Candle of Hope ceremony is a poignant part of Relay For Life. As the sun sets, we light candles, each one honouring a life touched by cancer. As a local community, we come together for a moment of quiet remembrance, reflection, and celebration.
Everyone is invited to join in this special moment. You can dedicate a candle to someone no longer with us, a friend or family member currently living with cancer, a loved one who has survived, or as a symbol of hope for the future - a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.
If you would like to dedicate a candle ahead of the night, please contact the committee using the details at the base of the page. The committee will also be able to help you with any queries about the event or fundraising.
During a Relay For Life event, you'll experience special moments that bring everyone together:
We honour survivors of cancer, our special guests, as they begin with their lap of honour.
Teams take turns to walk throughout the event, showing the power of community spirit to help beat cancer.
We enjoy a variety of games and music from local performers – there’s something for the whole family to enjoy!
We hear about Cancer Research UK’s scientific breakthroughs.
The Candle of Hope ceremony gives us a moment to reflect and honour everyone affected by cancer.
The closing ceremony celebrates our progress and inspires us all to continue the fight against cancer.
Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
This venue is suitable for wheelchair users.
Can I bring my dog?
No sorry.
What's the nearest station?
The nearest station is Tyne and Wear Metro. Please check public transport before you travel.
Yes, you can. You are also welcome to bring along any food and drinks that you might like with you.
What happens if it rains?
We will Relay on! Please come prepared for wet and cold weather.
What do I need to bring with me?
Your Relay t-shirt and if the event is overnight, please bring a tent and sleeping bag. You might also like to bring any food and drinks, a chair, sun cream, an umbrella (just in case!), warm clothes, spare socks and shoes, and any materials that you need for your fundraising stall (e.g. a gazebo and trestle table).
Each year, Relay For Life achieves something truly remarkable – raising vital funds for life-saving cancer research. Every penny makes a difference.
£7 could buy a beaker, which is an essential piece of equipment for any lab.
£40 could buy nutrients that cells need to grow in the lab, allowing scientists to find out more about cancer than ever before.
£360 could fund Dr Luigi Ombrato’s research, discovering what’s behind breast cancer spreading, for one day.
Each Relay is led by a committed group of volunteers, steered by an event chair. These volunteer leaders are the backbone of the whole experience and work all year round, supporting each team’s fundraising to create an unforgettable Relay.
If you have any questions about the event, need help with fundraising, or if you’re keen to join a committee, please contact your local event chair directly:
