Luke’s heart of gold
• Bridport’s Luke Kolkert is raising funds for Cancer Council, with plans to shave off his mullet next month. Photo supplied.
By Daisy Baker
July 29, 2020
Bridport’s Luke Kolkert is known for his big heart and caring nature and now he’s calling on locals to dig deep to support a cause close to his heart.
When his sister Brooke was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma for a second time, he had an idea.
10 years ago when she last battled cancer, Luke did a fundraiser for the Cancer Council and shaved his hair off, raising around $2,000 for cancer research.
This time around he and his mum Kate have launched a GoFundMe campaign which raised more than $2,000 in the first two days after it went live last week.
Kate said 36-year-old Luke who was born with Rubenstein Taybi Syndrome amazes her every day.
“He thought of all of this himself and just wants to do something to help,” she said.
“When he was born, he wasn’t supposed to walk, talk or toilet train but he has always worked hard for himself.
“For my 35th birthday, the girls had been teaching him to sing because he’d been using Auslan until that point and he sang me a little bit of Happy Birthday. I cried.
“When we went away on the boat for six and a half years, he taught sign language to everyone he met – he’s that kind of kid, his character and personality draws people in.”
When Luke moved to Bridport with Kate three years ago, he made friends quickly.
Together, he and his mum volunteer for the over 65 club and he goes to Day Centre each Monday.
Brooke will go to Hobart on Monday for a stem cell transplant.
It’s hoped Luke will hit $3,000 by the end of his fundraiser, all of which will go directly to the Cancer Council.
You can donate via www.gofundme.com/f/luke039s-campaign-for-cancer-council-of-tasmania-inc
Donation jars will also be placed in local shops, with plans to shave Luke’s mullet at a community event at the pub during August.