Le Pine Funerals Stepping Out to End Social Violence

senseless violence and raise money,” says Andy. Late last year, the Le Pine team physically stepped out in support of the organisation with more than 20 employees taking part in the Foundation’s Be Wise Walk.

For the Le Pine Funerals’ team in Eltham, Victoria, this is why they support the Pat Cronin Foundation.

“The Foundation is close to our hearts, with the team playing an integral role in the arranging of Pat’s funeral service in 2016,” says Andy Brown, Le Pine Regional Manager. The Foundation was established in memory of Pat Cronin, who at 19 years old lost his life after he was punched in the head from behind while trying to help a mate.

“We’ve backed this Foundation since Pat’s father established it, to help increase awareness, improve education to end

Employees from Le Pine Funeral’s parent company, InvoCare, also stepped out for the cause, with the Australian Funerals Leadership team walking on the Gold Coast, and Ash Crow, Regional Manager of Victoria, stepping up in Kunanyi (Mount Wellington) in Hobart.

“We are proud to support the Pat Cronin Foundation and the Be Wise Walk, which brings the community together and raises awareness of Pat’s story to end violence like the coward punch.

“The message of the walk is to ‘Be Wise’, to think carefully and act kindly when out and about, so we can end senseless violence that has a devastating effect on families and communities. My team and I are heartbroken when we see lives cut short due to violence. We see the grief of their families, friends and loved ones firsthand, and I can tell you it never gets easier.”

Andy and his team participated in the official 8.4km Be Wise Walk on 20 November, raising awareness about social violence and nearly $3,000 for the foundation.

Supporters, who have collectively raised more than $100,000 for the Pat Cronin Foundation, were encouraged to register their walks and raise funds to go towards the Foundation’s education programs.

The foundation’s vision is to have a world free from the coward punch and is working towards this by providing an optimistic voice and empowering approach to awareness, education and research. They work with schools, clubs, community groups and young people to end the coward punch. The Pat Cronin Foundation is grateful for the support from Le Pine Funerals.

“They are a valued partner financially, as well as helping raise awareness by taking part in our events, and with in-kind support from local branches who provide meeting rooms occasionally for our staff,” Pat Cronin Foundation Director Matt Cronin said.

“The care of the Le Pine team for our family at our darkest hour and since will never be forgotten. We look forward to continuing to work together with Le Pine into the future to end the coward punch.”

The Le Pine team is extremely proud to support the Pat Cronin Foundation and is already looking forward to this year’s Be Wise Walk. For more information about the event and the Pat Cronin Foundation, visit https://patcroninfoundation.org.au/