Retired cop treks 600km for cancer awareness

26 May 2018 - 09:00 By Timeslive

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Deon van der Merwe.
Image: Facebook

Deon van der Merwe knows pain.

In August 2015‚ the retired police officer lost his wife‚ Johlene‚ to cancer. She was also a cop. And while the pain of losing his wife was emotional‚ he took on a challenge to honour her - and those who looked after her - by going through a physical pain.

Van Der Merwe‚ 60‚ who held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel when he was based with the Bloemfontein K9 Unit‚ walked 600km from Bloemfontein to Port Elizabeth. With three cop friends‚ one of who is also retired‚ the trio finished the mission on Thursday.

They were welcomed in PE by much fanfare‚ with horses‚ K9 teams and even a SAPS helicopter meeting them in the Friendly City.

Three retired police members arrived in Port Elizabeth today, after walking from Bloemfontein, to raise funds for a cancer awareness campaign. The trio were met by the police K9 unit and the mounted unit while a police helicopter hovered above them.

Pictures: Gareth Wilson pic.twitter.com/5NOshfaKvo
— HeraldLIVE (@HeraldPE) May 24, 2018

“Van der Merwe walked this distance to honour his wife’s long and courageous fight against breast cancer. Another reason for his walk was to pay tribute to the caregivers who live with cancer patients‚ and to inspire and motivate the affected families. He also aimed at using this walk as an encouragement of hope and support to all SAPS members who are living with cancer‚” Eastern Cape SAPS said in a statement.