Participants in the Corowa-Rutherglen Relay for Life could not actually gather as a group because of coronavirus, but that did not stop the event from blowing away expectations and raising more than $40,000.
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Rather than postponing, a virtual event was held on Saturday and people tuned into a livestream on the event's Facebook page.
Chairperson and cancer survivor Julie Bartlett, committee members and a few supporters broadcast from their base at Corowa RSL.
"As far as we can tell, it's a first for Relay for Life. COVID-19 may have cancelled our event in its original format, but just like those with cancer, we're fighting back," she said.
"We are all in this together and we've really got that Aussie guts and determination, whether we're going through cancer or we're dealing with the current COVID-19 crisis."
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Limiting contact meant there could be no hugs during emotional speeches, the speakers maintained their distance when changing for their turn at the microphone and participants walked behind each other during the shortened walking "relay" around the auditorium.
A silent auction and major raffle on the day helped grow the fundraising total.
Cancer council Western NSW member Christine Williams said the target of $35,000 was an enormous task, but Corowa-Rutherglen still managed to exceed that number and it was still climbing.
"In the current economic conditions, we would have been OK to say that we didn't crack it ...it's such a remarkable effort," she said.
"We've had floods, we've had drought, we've had bushfires and the community has just given and given and given."
