With nine students in years 7 to 11 and three staff members on the team this year, the school is heading into its seventh year participating in the annual Cancer Council fundraiser.

This year they are relaying for a cause close to their hearts.

One team member, year 11 student Tim Hill, lost his sister Jemma six months ago to a rare form of brain and spinal cancer.

Team leader David Sowden said Tim's loss rocked the whole school.

"What happened with Tim has resounded with the school community and brought everyone together," he said.

But this has only inspired the school to go the extra mile.

This year they will take on the 12-hour lap challenge, a new event in which participants wear an electronic chip that counts laps as you pass a checkpoint and displays the tally on a leaderboard.

The challenge is open to individuals, community groups, schools and businesses.

Last year Cardiff High had 14 people on its team, who each walked or ran an average of 24 kilometres, or 60 laps of the 400-metre track at Glendale's Hunter Sports Centre.

They raised $1200 through fund-raising and donations from friends and family, which they hope to top this year.

Mr Sowden said winning the lap challenge would be an added bonus.

■ Newcastle/Lake Macquarie 2015 Relay For Life, Saturday, November 7, at Hunter Sports Centre, 11am to 11pm. Go to relayforlife.org.au for more information.