Relay committee member Mandy Reed said the most recent tally at April 11 was $61,623.80, and she described the monstrous effort as “absolutely amazing”.

"We live in such a giving town, people are always so willing to give regardless of the reason,” she said. 

It is the town’s third relay.

"We held our first Relay for Life in February 2010, it was huge and a great success. 

"For a number of reasons, the committee then chose to have the next Relay 19 months later (not ‘each year’ that the Cancer Council wanted us to), and we had our second successful Relay in September 2012.”

She said as good as this relay was, it was too cold and proved to be the wrong time of the year for it.

"So again we didn’t have our third Relay for another 18 months after. 

"We feel now (at last) we have found our perfect time of the year… The weather plays such a huge part at a Relay and we wanted to find that time. March is perfect.”

The committee was also happy with the venue and has agreed to stage the event annually.

"We… know how giving Yass and district is [but] how taxing events like these are on the locals.”

She said future events would shift focus to promoting more awareness and what support options are available to those affected by cancer. 

"We have also decided, with permission from the Cancer Council, not to put the emphasis on raising a huge amount of money. 

"It will be up to the individual teams to raise as much money as they want, but we as a committee will not be asking for raffle prizes from business houses unless a specific business wants to donate a raffle.

"We will be putting a huge emphasis on awareness of this insidious disease and what the Cancer Council offers.”

The committee hopes the change will continue to bring Yass and district together as a community, making other survivors aware of each other. 

"With the money the Relay raises, more research is being done and more survivors are out there.

"I want to thank this amazing town for yet again ‘delivering the goods’. We will be back in March 2015.

"I also want to thank my committee, they are the most hard working, fun loving committee anyone would want, and you can’t have them, they’re mine!"

Contributed.