Bernie Scanlan remembered after he was killed in crash during charity bike ride on Augusta Highway at Redhill, fundraiser

Days after fundraising champion Bernie Scanlan was killed in a horror crash, a fundraiser has been formed to keep the Ugandan orphanage he funded open.

Friends of fundraising legend Bernie Scanlan are raising funds to keep the Ugandan orphanage he helped open stay afloat, after he died in road crash at the weekend.

Timothy Grace, a close friend of Mr Scanlan, set up the fundraiser on Tuesday night, saying the Oprhanage he helped form in 2007, the Home of Love and Dreams, was closest to his heart.

“This home however was much more than a vision, mission, or cause for Bernie, it was his family,” Mr Grace said.

“This campaign is to finish off what Bernie had lived and dreamed for, with all proceeds going to the Home of Love and Dreams orphanage to simply bless the children, assist with the homes’ operating costs for 12 months and their current projects that aim to make them more self-sufficient.”

The fundraiser has so far raised more than $1000 of its $35,000 goal.

Since opening its doors, the children in care have grown from 5 to 30.

David Kamanzi, who helped with opening the orphanage, paid a touching tribute to Mr Scanlan, saying the children referred to him as Jaja, which means grandpa.

“You have supported us … and wanted us to stand on our own,” Mr Kamanzi said.

“You have really been a father to all the fatherless and so we will forever be grateful for the life you lived.”

Multiple communities around the world are mourning the 69-year-old man, who was tragically struck by a car and killed while on a charity bike ride at Redhill, north of Snowtown, on Saturday.

Paramedics treated Mr Scanlan, of Norton Summit, at the scene but he could not be saved.

The driver of the ute involved in the crash, a 48-year-old Western Australian man, was not injured in the crash.

His sister, Creina Scanlan, said she was in shock when she found out her brother had been killed in a road crash.

Bernie Scanlan in Uganda, with some of the children he’s helped. Pictures: Facebook

“Saturday night when I found out ... someone messaged me, ‘sorry to hear about Bernie’, I’m thinking, ‘what are they talking about?’” she said.

“It was a huge shock.

“His main passion is helping people, whether they be homeless people, injured, kids.”

He left behind four siblings – Creina, John, Sheila, and Terry, as well as six nieces and nephews.

Ms Scanlan remembered her brother as a selfless man, who lived for other people, and said she would miss hearing about his adventures.

“I think the hard part is organising a memorial, because he’s had such a huge effect on so many people.”

Scores of people have taken to social media to express their sadness of Mr Scanlan’s death, including the West Adelaide Football Club – one of his favourite sporting clubs.

“The West Adelaide Football Club is saddened to hear of the passing of Bloods supporter Bernie Scanlan,” the statement read.

Bernie Scanlan in 2016, ahead of his 1000km walk across Brazil. Picture: Calum Robertson

“Bernie was a passionate supporter who would regularly attend both men’s and women’s games. Vale Bernie Scanlan.”

Mr Scanlan went on countless walks to raise money for various charities, including in 2018, where he walked 1000km in Spain for Destiny Rescue, an organisation that helps to save children from sexual slavery.

In a video recorded during his walk, he encouraged people to donate to his cause and save children experiencing sexual abuse.

“I think for a child to experience that, is a horrible, horrible thing,” Mr Scanlan said.

“We can help these children, not only take them out of it (sexual slavery) but give them a better life.”

Donate here to the Home of Love and Dreams Orphanage

Bernie Scanlan has been remembered after he was killed in a crash on Saturday. Pictures: Facebook

Youth With a Mission South Australia (YWAM), an organisation Mr Scanlan was a part of for many years, said the charity advocate was an inspiration to many and would be greatly missed.

“He was a true Aussie hero,” a statement from YWAM said.

“He would do the unthinkable in order to raise funds for the orphanage and other mercy programs in Thailand and other countries, such as walking 1000 km in Brazil, crossing the United States in his pushbike, and many other things that would make a young bloke stop halfway through or not even dare to start.

Bernie Scanlan in Uganda. Pictures: Facebook

“He was full of life and energy, always up for the next challenge which was always completed with an incredible selfless attitude.”

Mr Scanlan was one of three people to die on SA roads this weekend, including a pedestrian at Port Augusta and a motorcyclist at Pompoota.