By LIA SPENCER
THE death of a beloved Scout troop leader last year has prompted the beginning of a major event in Kooweerup.
Light the Night, a twilight walk to help cure blood cancer by raising funds for research, will be held in Kooweerup on 18 September. Residents are encouraged to buy a lantern, tie up their shoe laces and create awareness for the cause.
The Kooweerup Scout Troop decided to launch the event locally after its youngest leader, Chris Burhop, lost his fight against Leukaemia in June.
Before Chris’s death, the Scout troop signed up as the team, the Chocolate Puddings, and participated in the annual event in Melbourne. They raised $1660 to assist in the research and support provided by the Leukaemia Foundation.
Kooweerup Scout Troup leader Ian Woff said Chris showed up at the event after being discharged from the hospital. Mr Woff said he was a very caring man who was an asset to the Scouts and his passing was heartbreaking for everyone who knew him.
“Chris was undergoing treatment at the time of the walk, and was discharged on the afternoon of the walk. He arrived at the meeting point to say thank you and chat to our team before the walk, probably when he should have been heading home for some bed rest,” Mr Woff said.
“But that was Chris, he liked to be able to participate and show encouragement to our youth members. Later that year Chris’s leukaemia returned, but that didn’t slow him down. He was always involved and enthusiastic and participated as much as he could. In June this year Chris lost his battle and the group lost a vibrant, energetic, enthusiastic and caring leader. We will miss him and we will remember him, and we will run an annual walk in remembrance of his life.”
The event will begin at Cochrane Park, Rossiter Road in Kooweerup. Registrations are at 5.30pm, the walk will start at 7.30pm and the event will end at 9pm. To donate, visit www.lightthenight.com.au and search for Kooweerup Chocolate Puddings.
