By Alesha Capone
Almost $20,000 has been donated to a worthwhile cause in memory of Werribee policeman Ron Fenton, who died earlier this year following a battle with cancer.
Ron, who survived after being shot in the head while on the job in 1984, later developed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
He credited his assistance dog, a Labrador named Yogi, with improving his life.
Last year, a group of Ron’s friends –Lisa Marković, Lisa Heinrichs, Marie Britta, Rob McLennan, Tony Hooper, Andrew Elsbury and Rishi Prabhakar, known as the Supporters of Ron Fenton -– started an online campaign to raise money to help Ron meet his only grandchild, who was born in Europe during the pandemic.
The campaign raised $20,000 to pay for Ron’s grandchild and son to travel to Australia.
Sadly, Ron passed away before this could be organised.
Ron had requested that if this occurred, the money be donated to K9s 4 Valour instead.
The not-for-profit organisation, founded by former police office Melanie Scott, provides trained service dogs to first responders and military personnel with PTSD.
The Supporters of Ron Fenton presented Ms Scott with a cheque last week at President’s Park’s dog park.
Ms Scott said it was the biggest donation she has ever received.
“It just means everything to us,” she said.
Ms Heinrichs said the Supporters of Ron Fenton were planning to hold an annual fundraising event for K9s of Valour and Defence Community Dogs, in Ron’s memory.
