Fewer turn out for pink walk

Eesa Belk, Mea Batchelor, 12, and Matt Belk. Photo / George Novak

Being a part of an event to benefit the community drew Eesa Belk to Papamoa Beach yesterday for the Papamoa Pink Beach Walk.

Ms Belk joined hundreds of other walkers to help raise money and awareness for the Breast Cancer Support Service yesterday morning.

"We wanted to be a part and help the community in any way possible. We have friends and family who are survivors or sufferers."

This was the first Pink Walk she had attended. Ms Belk is from Papamoa originally but had been living in Australia until recently moving back for good.

Breast Cancer Support Service Tauranga Trust co-ordinator and event organiser Lea Lehndorf said it was lucky the weather had played ball.

"We got lucky with the weather. You almost wouldn't believe [Saturday and yesterday] were the same weekend.

"Unfortunately, the weather did stop a few people from coming down. We had quite a few less numbers than previous years, which is a little sad. What is rain and wind compared to going through chemotherapy?"

She believed there were about 500 people involved yesterday. In previous years attendance usually reached between 800 and 1000.

Mrs Lehndorf said Papamoa woman Denise Narruhn, who is going through chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer, cut the ribbon to open the event.

"We thought it would be nice to have someone from the community to open the walk and it was nice for her to have the support as well."

Mrs Lehndorf knew others going through treatment had taken part, but most were there in support of friends and family.