“Look after your mates”. That’s the message Bruce Clark shared with young footballers at Saturday’s Leigh Clark Memorial Cup game between Melton Juniors and Melton South.
Mr Clark’s son, Leigh, 15, died in 1999 from alcohol poisoning after he was given imitation vodka essence.
Leigh was visibly intoxicated after 30 minutes of drinking. His friends allowed him to walk home by himself, but he collapsed and died on the way.
Mr Clark, who formed the Leigh Clark Foundation in 2003, has made it his mission to make young people more aware of the risks of alcohol. “The emphasis is to look after your mates. If anyone is in trouble, don’t leave them to walk home alone.”
Mr Clark said an increase in the legal drinking age could have a positive outcome, but he said it would be hard to measure its success.
