Lighting the night for leukaemia

BE bright in the darkest hour by joining Ballarat’s Light the Night walk, raising funds and awareness for the Leukaemia Foundation.

Light the Night is an opportunity to illuminate a lantern in support of all people touched by blood cancer, and will run on Friday 11 October, starting at the Adventure Playground at Lake Wendouree.

Organiser, Kaylene Grigsby said three types of lanterns will recognise different parts of the leukaemia community. They can be collected from 6pm for a donation of $20.

“Blue lanterns are for those supporting people going through their journey with leukaemia, the white lanterns represent your own journey in recovery or treatment, and the gold is remembering those loved ones that have passed,” she said.

Mobile Whataburger, a Rotary Club of Ballarat West sausage sizzle, the Bean Me Up coffee van and Hippy Whippy ice cream will provide plenty of food and drink options between 6pm and 8pm.

Sister Act Face Painting and live acoustic music from Riley Smith will entertain children and adults. Organisers are hoping to have classic cars on display too.

At 8pm, the blue, white and gold lanterns will be lit. When night falls around 8.30pm, the walk will begin, moving along Windmill Drive.

“We’ll walk along the foreshore of Lake Wendouree, probably down to Pipers and back, depending on the weather,” Ms Grigsby said.

“It’s a solemn event and it brings the community together to have conversations, knowing that they’re not alone.

“It’s suitable for all ages, because leukaemia touches everyone’s lives, no one’s immune to it.”

Head to my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/ballarat1 to register and donate in advance. Find more information on Facebook at ‘Light the Night – Ballarat 2019.’