Relay for Life will be getting a jump-start this year with a kick-off event in Hamilton on February 4.

It will give the public a chance to learn more and sign up to participate in advance of the fundraising event, sponsored by Liberty Specialty Markets Bermuda, which begins on May 15.

Steve Horton, the president of Liberty Specialty Markets Bermuda, said: “Relay for Life of Bermuda has been an enormous success and in the past six years raising over $4.5 million.

“These funds lead to the successful opening of a radiation facility at Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre, of which Relay For Life donated $2.2 million towards the $10 million capital campaign. “In recent years, over $2.3 million was raised supporting the Centre’s equal access fund enabling all members of our community access the Centre’s full range of prevention programmes, early cancer detection services and radiation therapy treatment, without a co-pay.”

The kick-off event will be held at Hamilton City Hall, and tents with volunteers will be available to answer questions.

The Bermuda Relay event, held in May every year at the North Field, National Sports Centre, is the island’s largest annual fundraiser, attracting more than 5,000 people each year.