Melton’s Paul Harrison was a man of many talents.
“He was a like a dad, a best friend or even the chick you go out the back and gossip with,” former colleague Lorelle Anderson recalls.
“Harro”, as Mr Harrison was known to his friends, worked at Melton Country Club for 16 years before dying from cancer in April last year. When he was diagnosed, Ms Anderson decided she wanted to do something to help people battling the disease.
She formed a Relay for Life team, “Harro’s Cuddles”, in honour of her friend.
“I had never had to deal with cancer … it had never been close to home,’’ she said. “I saw him vanish before my eyes. You feel so helpless and I wanted to do something. He was blown away by the support.”
Many of Mr Harrison’s former colleagues will be joined by his family and friends at this year’s Melton Relay for Life on Saturday and Sunday. More than 100 people took part in last year’s event, raising more than $90,000 for Cancer Council Victoria.
The 2014 relay will include ceremonies honouring cancer survivors and those who have died of the disease. There will also be entertainment and a tug of war competition.
“Forty-three people have paid up to be part of Harro’s Cuddles, and the country club has been massive in supporting this,’’ said Ms Anderson, whose father was also diagnosed with cancer last year.
“We want to prevent anyone from having to watch a loved one go through that and feel so helpless.”
Relay for Life is at Tabcorp Park from 7.30pm, Saturday.
» facebook.com/HarrosCuddles?fref=ts or relayforlife.org.au
