Hills Relay For Life
Former Castle Hill High School Captain Lachlan Forrest was in Year 9 when he took part in his first Hills Relay For Life event.
Lachlan, who now volunteers on the Hills Relay For Life orgainising committee said the 2019 Relay was “mind blowing”.
He said supporting the event, which raises funds for the Cancer Council, is important to him as he was three years old when he lost his dad, Jeffrey, to cancer.
“I always wanted to be involved in supporting the Cancer Council,” he said.
The youngest of the three children (his brother was six years old and his sister four ) when his dad died.
”My dad had kidney cancer diagnosed in June 202, two months after my brother was born, and had his kidney removed. He had an 18-hour operation in August 2004 (when cancer returned) and had radiation therapy.
In 2008 he was diagnosed yet again with cancer in his chest, had another round of radiation and died later that year. He’s the reason I Relay,” said Lachlan.
He said taking part in Relay was an opportunity to do something positive. 
“I went from having an individual pain to a shared pain and we are all motivated for the same outcome. The atmosphere is amazing, it is a very different experience and very hard to explain.”
Lachlan says walking the track with friends from his school and others has been a highlight.
Castle Hill High School students and staff have been supporting the Hills Relay For Life since the first event held at Castle Hill Showground in 2001.
Several other local schools have been involved for many years.
Lachlan now volunteers on the community organising committee and is co-ordinating schools at the event.
This year eight high schools have registered to join the 2024 Hills Relay For Life which starts at 9am on May 18th and finishes on Sunday morning.
Castle Hill High will be joined by students and staff from Crestwood High at Baulkham Hills, Kellyville High, Rouse Hill Anglican College, Glenwood High, The Kings School and Hills Grammar at Kenthurst. Baulkham Hills High is also supportive.
Schools have been fundraising at a furious pace with Glenwood High already raising over $11,000, Castle Hill High over $7,000,Rouse Hill Anglican College over $5,000 and Kellyville High nearly $3,500. 
JOIN RELAY
The 2024 Hills Relay For Life will be held at Castle Hill Showground starting at 9am on Saturday May 18th with the first lap for survivors and carers at 10am. It will be followed by a packed program of entertainment and activities on the day. The moving candlelight Hope Ceremony will be held at 6pm.
On Sunday, May 19th dog morning returns. The last lap for the 2024 Hills Relay is just before 10am on Sunday May 19th.
Hills Relay for Life chair Lisa Carruthers said it is a wonderful community event to be part of with the committee reflecting the diversity of the people who walk, run and visit Relay. Registration for over 18s is $30.
Student registration (14 to 17) is $20 Youth (8-13) is $15. Children under 7 are free. An information session is being held on Tuesday, May 7th at Castle Hill RSL at 6.30pm.
To register online visit https://www.relayforlife.org. au/event/hills-2024/home or email yvette.haines@nswcc.org.au or call 9354 2007.
WHY WE RELAY
Holly Ruffell, (pictured on the cover with Hayley Mitchell and 12-week old Billie Mitchell at the 2023 HIlls Relay For Life) was around 8 years old when she took part in her first Hills Relay For Life around 20 years ago. She had lost two grandparents to cancer but since then has lost other people to cancer including a very close friend.
“I love the whole community feel of Relay”, says Holly.” I love going round to all the different stalls and getting everyone together.
“When I was young I loved putting the Handprints on the HOPE sign. Now I love the Box Car rally. The silent disco is also a lot of fun. Writing on the Hope Bag is a special time.”
