“I’m over the moon,” he said. “It was an exceptional effort.

“We thought $25,000 to $30,000 would be good, anything above that was a bonus.”

The tally was estimated at $22,000 immediately after the April event, but this figure rose considerably as funds kept pouring in to the NSW Cancer Council.

Mr Phoebe initially decided to organise the relay after being a team captain at the Dubbo event, believing that ‘we could do the same thing’.

He later showed his instincts had been on target, when more than 300 people from all walks of life banded together at Kennard Park for their unique journey.

“It was an incredible event that really brought people together,” Mr Phoebe said.

Plans are now in the pipeline to host a second Relay for Life in Wellington in 2010.

“We’re aiming to do it every two years,” Mr Phoebe said.

“We’re working towards having it at the same time of year because of the weather.”

Mr Phoebe would also be keen to head the organisation again.

“I took the job on and I would be willing to do it again,” he said.

All funds raised through Relay For Life events go directly towards cancer research, education and support programs for cancer patients and their families.