Cooke Scotland is delighted to be the main sponsors of the Cancer Research UK (CRUK) 2026 Shetland Relay for Life.
The event, which will take place at the Clickimin Race Track on 30 May 2026 in Lerwick, will see the whole community come together to fundraise for this important cause, honour cancer survivors, remember those who we have lost, and celebrate the progress that is being made into cancer research and treatments.
Cooke Scotland was the main sponsor of the last Relay event in 2024 which raised £227,538.69.
Christine Nicholson, Yell Processing Factory Manager and member of Cooke’s Shetland Community Benefit Fund Committee, said: “We are honoured to partner with the Shetland Relay for Life as main sponsor for another year.
“This major fundraising event in the Shetland calendar is a fantastic opportunity to see the community come together and raise money towards Cancer Research UK’s essential work – dedicated to saving lives through research.
“Sadly cancer will affect one in two people throughout their lifetime, and in close-knit rural communities where we operate, there are many that will have been impacted in some way. Together we can drive progress and make a real difference.”
Relay for Life 2024 Shetland event – Ben Johnson, Cooke Scotland Head of Environment; Kerry Llewellyn, CRUK Relay for Life Shetland Chairperson; and Martin Henderson, CRUK Relay for Life Shetland Accounts Chair.
On the day of the event, Relay participants are welcomed at the opening ceremony before the start of the Survivors Lap where survivors and people currently affected by cancer walk the track to be cheered and supported by everyone in attendance. Participants will then take it in turns to walk around the track for 12 hours, from midday to midnight. There will also be a Candle of Hope ceremony at 10pm to remember those who have been lost to this disease.
Kerry Llewellyn, Chairperson of CRUK Relay for Life Shetland, said: “We are delighted that Cooke are our main sponsor once again.
“Over the past 18 years, Relay for Life Shetland has raised more than £1.67 million through its biennial fundraising Relays. This money is so important as it goes towards helping fund vital research in Scotland to fight back against this cruel, indiscriminate, disease and take us ever closer to the day when we can say goodbye to cancer for good.”
Lead photograph: Shetland 2024 Relay for Life Survivor’s Lap.