Wagga Relay For Life 2020: Shumack twins fundraise

Bella and Tom Shumack just turned 11 and for their birthday have asked friends and family for donations to their Relay for Life team Step4U.

The pair have become avid fundraisers for Relay for Life since their beloved Poppy, Keith Shumack, passed away in 2018 of liver cancer.

They decided to make a difference and take part in this year's Camp Your Way at home.

"We are so excited to help raise money and get involved," Bella and Tom said.

Their mother, Paula Shumack, said the twins had an extraordinary bond with their grandfather.

"From when they were born, the grandparents minded them every Thursday so I could go back to work," she said.

"When they started school, they continued that tradition and Poppy would pick them up, and they had such a lovely relationship.

"Then when he got sick, it happened so quickly, and he was put into hospital on a Thursday."

Mrs Shumack said they left a message at the school for the twins to catch public transport home, but the teachers ended up having to call them back, saying Bella and Tom did not believe it.

The twins could not remember a time when Poppy had not picked them up on a Thursday.

"From that day, he never picked them up again," Mrs Shumack said. "It was heartbreaking. It was such a shock because he was such a rock for us."

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Mrs Shumack has been amazed at Bella and Tom's dedication in helping to raise money for Relay for Life in the past couple of years.

"They have even set up a little raffle ticket store next to the coffee van in our neighbourhood," she said.

The Shumack family will be putting up tents in their backyard next weekend as part of the Camp Out Your Way.

The twins will be at Wagga Marketplace on November 14 selling raffle tickets. Christine Williams, Cancer Council's community relations coordinator for Western NSW, said that Relay For Life looks a little different this year.

"Because of COVID and the restrictions on social distancing, we had to make a decision some months ago that we would run the event itself virtually," she said.

"You still do the fundraising, head shaves, and raffles but instead of joining together we are asking everyone to join via social media between 7pm to 9pm for the opening, Hope and closing ceremonies."

The Wagga Relay For Life Camp Your Way event is on November 21. Register online at cancercouncil.org.au/waggawaggarelay.