Organizers of the first annual Walk for Burton Winters says he’s pleased with the turnout for the recent event.
Winters, a 14-year-old boy from Makkovik, died tragically in 2012, freezing to death after his snowmobile became stuck.
It took search and rescue teams almost three days to find him, with his body discovered 19 kms from his machine.
Winters’ death lead to the inquiry into ground search and rescue, which made numerous recommendations aimed at preventing such a tragedy from happening again.
Angus Andersen says he started planning the Walk for Burton Winters after speaking with the boy’s mother and grandmother a few years ago.
Andersen says he wanted to do something to keep the boy’s memory alive, adding the Winters family was happy with the turnout at Quidi Vidi Lake late last month.
“It was heartbreaking, it was powerful,” says Anderson, announcing next year’s event will be held on August 31st.
The walk is also a fundraiser, with money being collected through First Light to support post-secondary education for Innu and Inuit students.
Donations for the walk and in memory of Burton Winters can be made by contacting First Light at 709-726-5902.