RELAY For Life Forest of Dean has finally finished counting all of the pennies from its 24 hour Relay for Life Event and say its proud to announce they've raised nearly £84,000.

The family community event in Lydney, now in its sixth year was held on the week of June 26 and 27 at Forest Leisure by Whitecross School. More than 430 people took part and 30 teams found creative and ingenious ways of raising funds for research into the very many forms of cancer in the months leading up to the Relay itself.

Lynn Garner says the focus this year, was on 'Fight Back and help combat cancer' (hence the boxing gloves!) as today, thanks to the life saving, ground breaking work of Cancer Research UK and the monies raised through events such as Relay For Life, and the generosity of the general public and hard working volunteers, more people than ever before are now surviving or living with cancer.

Event chairperson, Neil Garner said: "This amount has exceeded our wildest dreams – our heartfelt thanks go to each and every one that has been involved."

The next fundraising venture, The Pink PJ Plod, promoting the great outdoors, physical activity and breast cancer awareness, is on Sunday October 31 at 11am at The Speech House. It's a family 10k or 5k walk suitable for everyone, including wheelchair users and pushchairs (and dogs!). Registration now open. For more information, visit website http://www.forestofdean">www.forestofdean

relay.org.uk or call Neil/Lynne on 01594 845773 or 07918619222.