Festival Fun Day: How you can celebrate life of Slater Clifton-Walker
The Gold Coast community is invited to celebrate the life of a special little boy who brought laughter and smiles to everyone he met. DETAILS >>>
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE Gold Coast community is invited to celebrate the life of a special little boy who brought laughter and smiles to everyone he met.
After spending much of his short life fighting brain cancer, six-year-old Slater Clifton-Walker died from the insidious disease last month.
Due to Covid restrictions, only 100 of Slater’s closest family and friends could attend the funeral.
Now his mum, Bianca Walker, has partnered with the community to bring Slater’s Festival Fun Day to Labrador.
The celebration will be held at Norm Rix Park on October 10 from 11am to 3pm.
The free-entry event will have markets, kids activities, entertainment, camel rides, arts and crafts and food trucks.
“The first time Slater ever cried happy tears was seeing the camels at Norm Rix Park,” Ms Walker said.
“All he ever wanted to do was have fun and play and that’s what this day is about – a fun day that Slater would enjoy.”
Ms Walker wished to thank the Multicultural Families Organisation, MP Sam O’Connor, the Children’s Hospital Foundation, Juiced TV and Crypt Daddies for their support.
‘What brave looks like’: Poignant scenes at funeral of Gold Coast boy - August 23
“THIS is what brave looks like.”
These words were splashed across a tiny coffin as family and friends said their final goodbyes to a brave little boy who spent most of his life fighting an insidious disease.
Family and friends gathered at the Allambe Memorial Park, Carrara to send-off Labrador six-year-old Slater Clifton-Walker, who died this month from brain cancer.
Due to Covid restrictions, only 100 of Slater’s closest family and friends could attend the funeral.
The courageous, cheeky and spirited boy captured the hearts of thousands more during his short life.
Much like his journey over the past few years, the service was filled with its sad moments, times of joy and touches of Slater’s dark sense of humour.
Attendees wore the six-year-old’s favourite colour, black.
His heartbroken mum, Bianca, watched on as a video of Slater singing in the car during a road trip played.
Family and friends held the six-year-old’s favourite mementos ahead of pallbearers carrying his coffin to the awaiting hearse.
Standing with the hearse, Bianca paused and bowed her head in a silent goodbye to her precious son.
The hearse was adorned with Slater’s favourite toys – ninja turtles, trucks and Spider-Man.
Attendees formed an avenue of friendship, and as the hearse drove away, they danced to the six-year-old’s favourite song, Party Rock by LMFAO.
Above & Beyond Funerals director Rebecca Bailey said the send off included everything Slater cherished in life.
“He loved (the Netflix show) Stranger Things, cemeteries, jails. He was a really old soul in a young body.
“He loved bright colours.
“He’s just a beautiful little boy – it’s just so wrong.”
Among the guests Alaskan malamute therapy dog-in-training Sam, who shared a special connection with Slater. They met each other when Slater was in hospital.
“Because he loved his dogs and because he had a connection with Sam, we thought we would bring him down and say his final goodbyes,” Sam’s owner Gavin Devine said.
“In March of this year Slater, Bianca and our two pups caught up again at Southbank because it was one of Slater’s wishes that he wanted to see the pups again.
“He loved dogs, and because he couldn’t see his own, this was the next best thing.”
Ms Walker said her son’s brain had been donated to the Queensland Children’s Tumour Bank.
“They will be able to use samples of his tumour to further their research,” she said.
“He is already helping to save children in the future. Even after he’s gone, he’s still helping.”
A community memorial service for Slater is planned when gathering restrictions are eased.
More Coverage
Originally published as Festival Fun Day: How you can celebrate life of Slater Clifton-Walker
Fire to burn for days in Gold Coast bushland
Nearly a dozen fire crews have worked late into the night to contain a blaze in bushland on the northern Gold Coast. Read the latest update.
Grim figures show cost of lost tourism to Gold Coast
Figures have revealed just how much weak international tourism is costing the Gold Coast amid concern about a loss of routes at the city’s airport. SEE THE FIGURES