Tracey Connor was set to be the ambassador for the school's relay - held ahead of next month's Wollongong Relay for Life - but had to pull out as she undergoes treatment for cervical cancer.

"My mum has cancer and couldn't make it today because she had chemotherapy," Tyler, 12, said. "We are proud to be ambassadors in her place."

Students from kindergarten to year 6 and their teachers wore their superhero costumes in support of all those in the school and surrounding community who have been touched by cancer.

Principal David O'Connor said while the school had had a team in the annual Wollongong Relay event for a few years, the mini relay allowed everyone to be involved.

"It's lovely to see the whole school community get behind what is such an important cause," he said.

"Sadly we have some children who have a very personal experience with cancer, and there's lots of families in the Illawarra who have experiences like that, and I think events like Relay for Life acknowledge that.

"Taking part in Relay, and holding our own event, gives us the opportunity to contribute to something that will hopefully improve the lives of those families."

Cancer Council NSW Southern Region community relations co-ordinator Caitlyn Zalewski said Keiraville Public was the first school in the Illawarra to stage a mini Relay event. "It's always hard to get schools involved in Relay as it's a 24-hour event with camping overnight," she said.

"So while Keiraville has a smaller team in the main event, this mini relay was a way for all the students to be involved and it raised funds and awareness."

The superhero theme will be mirrored at the Wollongong Relay for Life, which will be held on September 19 and 20 at Kerryn McCann Athletics Centre at Beaton Park, Gwynneville.

Ms Zalewksi said organisers hoped to raise $250,000 at the 2015 event, which would go towards Illawarra cancer support services as well as prevention workshops.

For more details or to register to take part visit relayforlife.org.au.