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It will be all light on the charity night

Sophie ElliottBusselton Dunsborough Times
Light the Night Busselton organiser Dawn Blanchard with husband Brian and sons Jack, 9, and Ben, 7, ahead of tomorrow night’s event. Picture Sophie Elliott.
Camera IconLight the Night Busselton organiser Dawn Blanchard with husband Brian and sons Jack, 9, and Ben, 7, ahead of tomorrow night’s event. Picture Sophie Elliott. Credit: Picture: Sophie Elliott

Hosting Busselton’s annual Light the Night event for the Leukaemia Foundation is always an emotional experience for Dawn Blanchard.

Her first Light the Night six years ago came just two days after the death of her cousin Penny, whose blood cancer battle prompted Ms Blanchard’s desire to become an event host.

The feelings will be bittersweet this year as it will be her last as event co-ordinator.

Ms Blanchard hopes to see the event continue in Busselton under the guidance of a new co-ordinator.

“The first year we were aiming for $3000 but, Busselton being Busselton and the generous community it is, we raised $13,000,” she said.

“The event has raised $72,000 in its five years and we hope to raise $15,000 this year.”

This year’s event will have a Teddy Bears’ Picnic theme and feature the usual entertainment, sausage sizzle, cake stalls and competitions.

Children are encouraged to bring teddies to the event to meet Big Ted and enter one of the competitions.

The event’s climax will be the lighting of the lanterns and the jetty walk.

“Light the Night is a beautiful way to show support for those in the community who are on their own journey, or have lost someone they love,” Ms Blanchard said.

“Lanterns each represent something.

“Blue is a show of support, white is a reflection of your own blood cancer journey, and gold is to remember lost loved ones. The lighting of the lanterns is my favourite part and the walk down the jetty is extremely moving.”

Light the Night will be held tomorrow evening at the Busselton foreshore amphitheatre.

Lantern collection and entertainment will begin at 5pm, followed by the lantern lighting ceremony at 7pm and Light the Night train ride and walk directly afterwards. More information can be found on the Light the Night Busselton Facebook page.

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