A CUT of a purple ribbon marked the start of the Horsham and District Relay For Life this year.
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Cancer survivors and carers had the honour of completing the first lap of the night and were applauded by this year's relay participants as they passed by.
Leonie Williams who travelled from Stanley was among the people who completed the first lap.
"There are so many young people here. They show their support by applauding us, but really it should be us applauding them for all their support," she said.
Ms Williams was a carer for her grandfather when she was a young woman, but she never truly understood what that meant to her.
"As a young person, it was a complete blur for me when I was a carer, but now that I am older I am seeing it in a different light," she said.
Ms Williams said she attended the event for her two friends, Jenny and Max Green. She said she wanted to support her friends in any capacity she could.
Monique Shevlin was on the Holy Trinity Lutheran College team.
She said cancer has touched someone in her life and she wants to help raise awareness for the cause.
"Tonight, is about raising awareness and being a team. We'll walk together through the night and see how many laps we can do," she said.
Horsham and District Relay For Life chairmanager Kingsley Dalgleish said the support of 25 teams has created another successful event. He said a carnival-like atmosphere kept the energies going for the 18-hour journey.
"I spoke to a number of people who have cancer and it gives them such a lift to see everyone out here and giving them the support," he said.
"When the candle bags are lit, you can't help but be touched. Cancer is an awful disease and we all do what we can to get rid of it."
The youth committee was a new feature for the event. Youth committee chairwoman Emilie-Rae Woodhead said a youth zone was set-up to keep young people entertained, but also encourage them to mix-and-mingle with different people around the district.
She said the youth committee was vital to keep the relay alive in the future.
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