A group of around 40 people consisting of police officers, firies, SES personnel and members of the Whitsunday community, joined forces on Saturday morning to raise money for the family of Gold Coast detective Damian Leeding – one step at a time. The intrepid fund-raisers walked 26kms from Crystalbrook Road to the Peter Faust Dam, raising $2,165 along the way.
Constable Steve Ringelstein, from the Proserpine station where the plan was originally hatched, said the community response had far exceeded expectations.
“I’m amazed at the generosity of the public – the donations that have come in and the number of people who have given up their morning to come and do this.
“This was very personal to us as police officers but as you can see from the support of the community it’s obviously touched a lot of people,” Constable Ringelstein said.
Guardian journalist Heidi Walton was among those who completed the walk to “get behind the Proserpine Police in their efforts to raise money for a good cause”.
“I’m worn out but feeling good about helping those who help us,” she said at the finish line.
Public donations to the Damian Leeding Remembrance fund can still be made through the Westpac Bank.
