End the coward punch: Pat Cronin Foundation walk ups the ante
Thousands will walk from Heidelberg to Lower Plenty next month to honour Patrick Cronin, who was fatally coward punched during a pub brawl in 2016. Find out how you can get involved.
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About 3000 people are expected to march from Heidelberg to Lower Plenty in memory of coward punch victim Patrick Cronin next month.
The 19-year-old was killed during a brawl at Diamond Creek’s Windy Mile pub in 2016, hours after making his seniors debut for the Lower Plenty Bears alongside his brother Lucas.
Patrick’s father Matt Cronin said the Be Wise Walk to the Valley on November 17 was the Pat Cronin Foundation’s biggest event of the year.
“We normally raise the biggest amount of money at this event each year and it’s also heartwarming to know everyone there is thinking about Pat in some way,” he said.
The event, in its fourth year, raised about $200,000 last year.
Mr Cronin said he was hoping to up that tally this year, with money going towards the foundation’s education and research programs.
“Our campaign is getting bigger and bigger each year,” he said.
“Since last year we have put on an education manager who goes out to schools and teaches the younger generation about ending the coward punch.
“While we can’t measure if we’re making a difference just yet, we do know our message is reaching more people than ever before.”
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Mr Cronin said the foundation had visited 80 Victorian schools, reaching about 12,500 students.
“If we can stop a fight from happening where that one fatal punch is thrown then we are taking a step in the right direction,” he said.
“We want people to know you do not have to throw a punch to be a good footy player.
“It’s a coward act and won’t be tolerated.”