By Jessica Micallef
Kristi Gilbert remembers her friend Rebecca Harrison as a “very kind, helpful and generous” Romsey resident.
Rebecca succumbed to stage four breast cancer in April after a short seven-month battle of the disease.
“She knew straight away that it was a terminal diagnosis [and] she was only 47 when she was diagnosed,” Kristi said.
“She was really well for a couple of months and after Christmas she got ill, she deteriorated and passed away in the middle of COVID-19 restrictions.”
During the last few months of her life, Rebecca decided to put others before herself.
She chose to help the Romsey and Lancefield community that she knew and loved by donating her money and time to community groups and sports clubs.
“After Bec was diagnosed she knew her time was short,” Kristi said.
“She didn’t have children or a husband that she needed to care for afterwards so she wanted to give her money to people who needed it.
“She felt very philanthropic and was donating money to many community groups in Lancefield and Romsey and local areas to help them with sport equipment and in the form of gift vouchers.
“She contacted a lot of groups herself to see if they needed anything. She was really supportive our of local community especially after COVID-19 struck.
“She was very passionate about our community. She took a lot of pleasure in helping people out.”
Now Kristi is taking up her own challenge in honour of Rebecca.
During August, the Kyneton resident is aiming to achieve 10,000 steps a day and raise $1000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
“It was really hard because we couldn’t see Bec [during COVID-19 restrictions],” Kristi said.
“She had to limit visitors and I couldn’t attend her funeral. I felt that I never got to say goodbye … so I wanted to do something to honour her memory.
“I thought this was an opportunity to do something small but feel like I am giving back and feel like I am doing something for Bec.”
To donate: bit.ly/33n7aGV
