24-07-2007
John Engisch
John Engisch, Managing Director of Torch Publishing and member of the Rotary Club of Bankstown, was a last-minute replacement for his son Trent. Trent had been scheduled to speak to the club about the Cancer Council's Relay for Life program, but was unable to do so due to other requirements. John, however, gave a well-presented and passionate presentation on the program. Some of his points were:
- Cancer affects us all, sooner or later. Trent decided, after his grandmother was quite ill, to do something which would bring the community together.
- The Bankstown Sports Club had tried to do the Relay for Life but found that the time and money invested didn't produce the desired result.
- The Engisch family decided to promote the Relay, with the push of the paper behind it.
- In the first 4-8 weeks, $40,000 was raised.
- Relay for Life is run by the Cancer Council as a fund raiser.
- The Relay has been very successful in the Shire, Blacktown, and Campbelltown.
- A 24-hour period, 10am to 10am, is designated in which walkers can walk to raise money from sponsors.
- Some organisations make it a sleepout, and some do activities such as singing, dancing, games, sports demos.
- The 2007 Relay for Bankstown will be held at the Crest Athletic Facility, Bass Hill, on 22nd September.
- A barbecue, run last year by Bankstown Rotary, goes fairly continuously for the Relay.
- About 400 people participated last year.
Last changed: 03:20:35 04-10-2008