AMHERST – Despite the rain, friends and family of the late Lynda Burke gathered at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre on Saturday to walk in her memory. This year’s walk was the seventh walk in her memory.
Long time friend of Burke, Ruth Nichols, was out at the walk, like she has been every year since it started. Nichols met Burke while they were in high school together.
“Lynda was a friend to everyone. She was a very kind, generous soul and she would do anything for anyone, share anything she had. She’d give the shirt off her back for anyone,” said Nichols. “We all like to think she died too soon, so this is the least we could do for her.”
Although the rain kept a few participants away, Nichols said she was happy with the amount of walkers who turned up.
“I think it’s great for the kind of weather we’re having. This walk has been going on for a number of years and it was kind of expected that the numbers would dwindle over the years. But, some of her friends from forever still show up every year.”
Burke’s daughter Molly was also at the walk. She said it’s wonderful seeing so many people show up every year help carry on her mother’s memory and make donations to support a great cause.
“At this point, we have made beyond what we ever imagined we could,” she said. “With that money, we are able to help with the scholarships but we also give some money to local families who’ve lost a parent. That’s really our motivation, to help other families who are going through similar things.”
Participants in the memorial walk started at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre and made their way to Gables Lodge. All proceeds from the walk go to educational bursaries, to graduating students looking to continue their studies in the nursing profession.
jturner@amherstdaily.com
