Community to pay tribute to Blessie Gotingco with second memorial walk

Hundreds of North Shore residents took to their streets in support of the family of slain Auckland woman Blessie Gotingco. Photo / Steven McNicholl

A second community walk is to be held in memory of murdered North Shore woman Blessie Gotingco.

The mother and grandmother was raped and murdered by Tony Douglas Robertson after she got off a bus on her way home from work on May 24 last year.

Robertson, 28, has been sentenced to life with a minimum of 24 years and preventive detention.

After Mrs Gotingco's death last year friends organised a memorial walk and thousands of of people participated. A candlelit vigil followed.

A second walk will take place on Sunday 20 September at 2pm starting at the Eskdale Cemetery where Mrs Gotingco's body was found, to Birkdale Primary School near where she disappeared.

"Last year the planning was done basically overnight and we for almost 4000 people," said organiser Adrienne Brunton.

"Let's see how many we get this year."

Mrs Brunton and Kerrin Hunter set up a Facebook group called Blessie's Walk last year after Mrs Gotingco's violent death.

"Our purpose is to honour Blessie's name and commemorate Blessie's life with goodness, acts of kindness and an enriched sense of community," the women said on the page.

"We also offer support and friendship to the Gotingco family and their friends."

After this month's walk Mrs Brunton hoped participants would stay for coffee and a picnic afternoon tea at the school.