Chris, Adam, Darren and Joe Geiger with Brett Otto, centre, and Lynda’s mum Gabrielle Burke in Kingaroy at the end of the last leg of Brett and Trevor Otto’s walk from Gladstone
May 19, 2016
Brett and Trevor Otto’s “Walk With Lynda” to raise funds for the Melanoma Awareness Foundation’s “Lynda Geiger Young Mums Program” has raised an amazing $30,000.
The duo’s walk from Gladstone to Kingaroy was topped off on Sunday afternoon with a community walk of more than 250 people along the 6km last leg from Crawford to Kingaroy.
Brett, who is a melanoma survivor himself, and his father Trevor, 72, dropped into schools and businesses along the way of the 500km to raise awareness about melanoma.
The walk was also a tribute to Lynda Geiger, born in Gladstone, who died from melanoma in Kingaroy last year.
Lynda’s efforts to raise awareness about the disease – as well as her courage in the face of a terminal diagnosis – inspired the region.
Pink and yellow balloons, her favourite colours, were hung around Kingaroy when news of her death spread.
The balloons reappeared on Sunday to mark out the route of the last leg of the trek and also decorated Memorial Park in Kingaroy where the walkers gathered afterwards to thank their supporters.
South Burnett Mayor Keith Campbell welcomed the walkers back to Kingaroy.
Brett Otto thanked all the supporters who had helped to make the walk a reality and their efforts to raise funds.
Lynda’s husband Darren also spoke on behalf of the family, thanking everyone for their efforts.
Ray Pidgeon and Trevor “Jack” Otto at the end of the 500km walk … Trevor walked the whole way from Gladstone while Ray drove the pilot vehicle from Gladstone to Crawford and walked the last leg; Trevor retired from the South Burnett Regional Council in 2013 after 52 years with Murgon Shire Council / SBRCThe walkers hit the bitumen outside Crawford State School … they came into Kingaroy via Siefert Street, Weens Road and West Street, avoiding the highway traffic
Rhiarn and Rowena Dionysius at Crawford State School at the start of the last leg
Jason, Elke and Deb Frecklington get ready in Crawford for the 6km walk
Karen Chalmers, event registrar Denise Weier and Karen Barry, from Kingaroy, were waiting at Crawford State School for the buses to arrive with the other walkersMember for Nanango Deb Frecklington, Cr Danita Potter, Mayor Keith Campbell and Cr Kathy Duff at the end of the walk in Memorial Park, Kingaroy; Cr Duff did the hardest yards … she took part in the Cherbourg Reconciliation Fun Run in the morning and then the walk from Crawford to Kingaroy in the afternoonMurgon SES members Ian Munday, Daniel Ellwood and Phil Le Du with Brett Otto in Memorial ParkSome of the 250 or so walkers in the grounds of Crawford State School at the start of the last leg of the walk
