MELTON residents are being urged to dig deep and help the Westgate Blue Ribbon Foundation raise funds for a hospital emergency department named in honour of an officer killed on duty.
Senior Constable Tim Lewczuk was killed on the Western Ring Road in 1997 when a vehicle crashed into his parked police car.
As reported by the Weekly, the foundation is raising funds for a new ward at Western Hospital Footscray to pay tribute to Senior Constable Lewczuk, who grew up in Hoppers Crossing.
About $10,000 is still needed to make the $125,000 project a reality.
Acting Sergeant Mick Downes (pictured) said it would be ideal to have the funds raised by Blue Ribbon Day (September 29).
“Footscray Hospital is the major emergency department in the western suburbs and may be the first point of call for any emergency treatment for people in the western suburbs,” he said.
Foundation president and former Melton inspector Greg Payne said Senior Constable Lewczuk was a terrific police officer.
“It was a tragedy to lose him, a great loss to not only the police force but also his family and friends, especially in those circumstances. It would be a great honour to have the renovated ward named in his memory.”
