Team Ness A and B members have invited all relayers to wear something green and join them for two laps of the Milton showground at 2pm on Saturday, September 6.

Non-relayers are also encouraged to take part in the walk to honour Ness who lost her battle with cancer five weeks ago.

Relay coordinator Caz Boland said the laps would be difficult and emotional for team members and the many people in the community who knew Ness.

“I can’t even think about it without crying,” she said.

“It will be such an emotional time.”

Ness was an avid supporter of the relay and Caz said her family and friends last year made up the biggest team ever to take part in the local event.

“Last year they raised more than $13,000,” she said.

“It breaks my heart to think that she won’t be involved this year.”

Caz said she became involved in the relay to help raise funds for cancer, but along the way had met many cancer patients, some with inspiring stories of survival and others who had lost their battles.

“I started out trying to do something good for the community and it has become so personal,” she said.

“The relay for life builds bonds and friendships in such an amazing way and it’s so hard when we keep losing young people.”

Before this year’s initial relay, planned for March, was cancelled due to wet weather, Vernessa told the Times she was looking forward to walking alongside her family and friends, despite undergoing more than 12 months of intensive treatment for melanoma, liver and lung cancer and having surgery to remove a brain tumour.

More than 50 people rallied behind Ness in 2013 and they will continue their goal, in her honour, this year to boost the relay coffers to fund cancer research as well as local services.

Team member Jenny Murphy said the team was running a raffle, with prizes including a signed and framed Manly jumper, a team flag signed by the 2013 NRL grand final players and a Manly football and 2013 team T-shirt.

She said tickets were on sale around town and during the relay.