Topping the $200,000 mark and having a presence in more towns are two successes from the 2020 Sunshine Walk.
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The Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund this week announced a final tally of $214,000 for last month's walk, only $6000 less than the 2019 result.
Chairperson Michelle Hensel said a target of even half the previous total had been thought ambitious.
"But teams just found a way to fundraise and individuals still came on board and we were completely, completely overwhelmed to be $214,000 and so close to last year," she said.
KBC Plumbing collected $20,498 to claim the Friends and Family Team Cup as workmates rallied around apprentice plumber Ben Haslam, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in March.
Laura Bell-Chambers said once they started the team, "it just went bananas, everyone was donating".
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"With what Ben and his family have been through, we wanted to give it our best shot and we feel like we've done a really great job for them and for the community," she said.
"I was absolutely amazed at how generous people can be," Mrs Orr said.
As her husband Bill received treatment, Mrs Orr learned so much more about the Border cancer centre.
"Until you walk through that door, then you really find out what it's all about," she said.
"They don't forget your name, you're not a number, you've got a name and you're welcomed, they're just wonderful."
Rivalea won the Corporate Cup by raising $16,183 while St Augustine's Primary School won the School Cup with $8047.
Mrs Hensel said the money raised would go towards the trust fund's four main areas of research, the wellness centre, education and new equipment.
"Our bottom line is that we do not want cancer patients going to Melbourne if they do not have to," she said.
"For them to be able to stay here and stay connected to their family, their peers and their workforce is just what's important for people."
The chairperson said future Sunshine Walks were likely to combine a set route with the flexibility made necessary by 2020 restrictions.
"There was no end to people's imagination of where and when they could walk," Mrs Hensel said.
"Corowa people were telling us they were walking in Corowa and people were running out and giving them $50 notes.
"I think it's great that people can connect directly with that community that they're in."