Community programs co-ordinator for Cancer Council Fiona Markwick said children were invited to design a postcard that related to sun safety, a health lunchbox or their favourite sport.

She said the competition was part of the fight-back activities planned for Relay for Life which were about educating and inspiring people to take action that could potentially save their lives or the life of a loved one.

Ms Markwick added the postcard competition gave children the chance to be creative and learn about healthy life choices.

“We are trying to get the community involved, trying to defeat cancer through community engagement and setting good behaviours in early life,” she said. “At least a third of all cancers can be prevented through healthy lifestyle choices.”

Ms Markwick said the winning designs would be put on postcards to be used at the Relay for Life.

“One of our fight-back activities at this year’s Relay for Life will be writing a cancer fight-back pledge on a postcard to yourself, a loved one, friend, or family member,” she said.

“Pledges can be anything from setting yourself a target of undertaking regular physical activity, reducing your cigarette intake, or eating more fruit and vegetables.”

Ms Markwick said people can take the postcard home and keep it as a visual reminder about their pledge, or they could mail it to someone else to encourage them to make a fight-back pledge or gain support for their own pledge.

Eight-year-old Ruby McRobert is one of many children who have entered the postcard design competition.

“I drew a woman with all the safety gear. She is wearing sunnies, a hat, sunblock and a long sleeve dress.”

Ruby said she thought it was important to learn about sun safety and healthy eating.

She added that she enjoyed drawing and would love to see her design on a postcard.

Entry forms can be collected from the Bathurst Library and need to be returned by Monday, February 3.

Ms Markwick said fight-back activities at the Relay for Life will include a healthy lifestyle quiz, reduce your cancer risk resources, healthy lunchbox demonstrations, dodge ball competitions and community action campaigns.

The Bathurst Relay for Life will be held Saturday, March 15 and Sunday, March 16.