We do need support and funds!

And we are delighted and honoured to receive the very generous support of Versatile Buildings to help us to acquire our very own racing boat, plus assistance with travel costs to regattas in Wellington and Auckland.

We are proud to be known as "The Versatile Girls" especially as we have shown by successfully taking on a demanding and competitive sport like dragon boating, and achieving national titles, that we do indeed live up to that title.

Normally we compete against the other corporate and social teams - mixed teams with a combined age more than 50% less than ours. We do our best, and have always said proudly that we come first in our lane! But we need to travel to get competition from other teams like us - breast cancer survivors. We have always said that we have already won the race of our lives, but while our aim is to get the message about breast cancer awareness out there in the open, we are also very serious about our participation in our chosen sport, and do like to match our abilities against teams similar to us.

Travelling to Wellington or Auckland to compete against other New Zealand teams, as well as opportunities such as racing in Vancouver, Canada, are important for setting standards of achievement for us. And the more cancer survivor teams at an event, the bigger and better the impact of our message of raising awareness of breast cancer amongst all women.

We are extremely grateful to the various Women's Institutes around the Canterbury region who have raised money and given us very generous donations towards our very own dragon boat.

In 2005 Abreast of Life Team competed in the 10th Anniversary Abreast in a Boat Regatta to celebrate 10 years of breast cancer racing. The regatta was held in the heart of downtown Vancouver, Canada, in June 2005. We all worked extremely hard to raise funds towards entry fees, travel, accommodation and costs for our team of 30 people and are most grateful for all the assistance that was given us to achieve our goal.

The Christchurch City Council supported us in our endeavours to get to Vancouver, and on our return with our silver medal we were delighted to be honoured with a Mayoral Reception, with Mayor Garry Moore and Councillors Graeme Condon and Carole Evans, along with key senior Council staff, in attendance.

Movie Night at the Hollywood Cinema, Sumner
The Rocky Horror Show, that kinky, catchy cult classic, performed at the Court Theatre
The Rangiora Art and Craft exhibition of quilters' and artists" work
Irish Night at Mickey Finns pub, and
Our Mega Auction in 2004.

A HUGE thanks to everyone who helped.

There are too many people to mention everyone who contributed
to the various evenings' successes, but particular thanks to

• David Anderson, auctioneer from Bryan Andrews Auctioneers Ltd,
• family and friends who rallied to help set the scene,
• all the wonderful companies, businesses and individuals who provided goods,
• And most of all, the people who supported our cause on the night.

You helped us achieve our goal of competing in Canada:

• Ria van Rooyen, artist
• Jill Henriod, artist
• Julian Harding, jeweller
• VS Via Sollertia Jewellery
• Clearwater Resort
• Rosebank Winery
• McDuffs
• Royal Furniture
• Hanmer Pools
• TranzAlpine
• Allison Roe
• Ivan Mauger
• Pottery International
• Rehab Equipment
• Blackwells
• Les Mills
• Blackcurrant
• Blakeleys
• Bunnings
• Bicycle Business (Palms)
• Tim Allen
• Dancing Queen

Versatile Buildings -

you have our undying love and gratitude for your magnificent support and we will endeavour to do our very best to make you proud of us.

We are also particularly grateful to all our past sponsors, without whom we would not have been able to establish our team and achieve the successes we have enjoyed:

Founding and Past Sponsors and Donors:

Roche Pharmaceuticals
The Excelsior Hotel
Metro Charitable Trust
Goulding Electrical
Canterbury Breastcare
Canterbury Foundation
Dave Sloss of Linwood Rugby Club and Linfield Dragon Boat Team
Evicut Express Dragon Boat Team
Wigram Lions
Riccarton Rotary
Weft Industries
New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation
Canterbury-West Coast Division of Cancer Society
Canterbury-West Coast Division of Cancer Society
Roche Pharmaceuticals
Lancaster Hotel
Riccarton Racecourse Hotel
Smiths Mitre 10
Canterbury Breastcare
Canterbury Foundation
Hamilton Jet
Gary Mechen, Clinical Dental Technician
City Care
Mico Metal
Harcourts

We are also most grateful to the many small businesses who have donated goods for our auctions and raffles - we wouldn't make it without you. Especially Micky Finns Irish Pub. Thank you.

And most of all - a big thank you to all our families and friends who have supported us in our chosen sport and our fund raising efforts.

The next Relay for Life 24 hour team event in Christchurch will be held at Queen Elizabeth II Park, probably on Feb 28-Mar 1 2009 , plus other venues around the country.

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