LYDNEY went purple for a week as preparations gather pace for one of the biggest charity events in the Forest.

Businesses across the town took up the purple challenge to show support for Relay for Life Forest of Dean.

On Saturday (February 23) the committee and local teams took over the former Scotts Shoes premises in Newerne Street to further raise awareness.

The district really has taken the event in aid of Cancer Research to its heart with a staggering £605,000 over the

last 14 years.

The 15th Relay for Life will take place at the Dean Academy for 24 hours from noon on Saturday, June 29.

Lynne Eagles, senior local fund-raising manager for Cancer Research said: “The town has been very supportive of Paint it Purple.

“We have had some really great window displays.

“We’ve been in Lydney engaging with people and encouraging them to come on board.

“Not everyone can be in a team but everyone can support it because everyone is touched by cancer.

“It’s been a very successful day.”

The Swan in Newerne Street was declared to have the best-dressed window with Bidmead Cook estate agents second and Willowdean Gifts third.

Lynne said: “The Swan’s window was fantastic and they had information about the research that goes on from the internet.

After a dip last year when only 10 teams took part, there are already 15 groups signed up to take part in June.

Lynne said: “It did dwindle last year but 14 years is a long time for a small community to be raising those sums of money `– but the good news is that we are already up to 15 for this year.”

The Lydney event brings together survivors of cancer, their friends and families, well-wishers and scientists from Cancer Research UK whose work is supported by the relay.

There is a real carnival atmosphere at the Relay with teams in fancy dress.

Lynne said: “I go to a lot of relays but there is a real atmosphere and warmth to this one.

“It is very friendly – and I’m not saying that just because I live here.”

Lynne added: “It’s a place of healing for some people. It’s a place where its OK to shed a tear, sometimes you are feeling sad and at other times you are laughing hysterically.”

Lynne is also involved with the Relay for Life in Pontypool – which is happening at the same time as the Forest event and there are plans to link the two.

Her line manager at Cancer Research UK, Mark Bennett, will cycle the 35 miles from Lydney to Pontypool in a lion costume.

After spending some time in the Eastern Valley he will head back to Gloucestershire in a dragon costume.

The day will also see members of the Welsh Blood Bikes – volunteers who ferry essential supplies for hospitals – come to Lydney.

Lynne said: “We want to embrace the fact that we are all in this together and that cancer knows boundaries.

“The amount of money that has gone from Relay for Life Forest of Dean over the last 14 years is £605,000.

“That’s an incredible figure and its all thanks to volunteers.

“We have people who have been with us almost from the start and we have brand

new people.

“It is like a big family.”

Relay for Life Forest of Dean has a new chair – Lucy Herring – who has taken over from Julie Drew.

Lucy’s involvement with Relay for Life in the Forest goes back some six years when her cousin was dying of cancer.

Lucy was living in Stroud at the time and the family wanted to do something as a team.

An internet search threw up Relay for Life Forest of Dean and Team Herring signed up.

“My cousin’s funeral was on the Friday and the Relay was on the Saturday.

Everyone here has become like a family to me.

“It was a place I knew I could open up.”

Despite living in Bristol and there being a similar event in Yate, Lucy has continued to return to the Forest.

“I have everyone here and they have all known me for six years.”

She is also working to bring more people from Bristol to the Forest Relay.

“Among them will be members of the Bristol Bears RFC women’s side.

Lucy stepped forward to volunteer as the new chair when Julie Drew announced that she was stepping down.

“She asked for someone to step forward and take the reins so I did.

“I was thinking of doing something with the committee as I’d just finished university where I had some

committee experience.

“I just didn’t think it would be the top one but coming up from team captain to the committee was a nice progression.”

It was just at that time that Lucy’s life was again touched by cancer when her mother died, shortly after being diagnosed.

“She died within a week of us finding out so I missed one of the first meetings I was supposed to chair.

“It’s been an emotional start – the support I had from everyone was brilliant – and I want the Relay to be a team effort for the community.

Lynne said: “Lucy knows and loves the Relay.

“We could bring in anyone to chair it but they have to have the experience.

“She’s also been an active fundraiser for a long period of time – and this is what it’s all about.

To find out more search for Relay for Life Forest of Dean on Facebook.