Weight on my Shoulders fundraiser in memory of Corporal Luke Tamatea

Holly Tamatea Raki organised the fundraiser for brother Corporal Luke Tamatea. Photo/Katee Shanks

As the anniversary of the death of Corporal Luke Tamatea approaches, his family and close friends become a little morose.

On August 19, 2012, Tamatea, Lance Corporal Jacinda Baker and Private Richard Harris, died instantly when a 20kg roadside improvised device destroyed their Humvee in Afghanistan's northeast Bamiyan Province.

The absence of Tamatea, who was raised in the Eastern Bay settlement of Te Teko and lies at Kawerau cemetery, is still felt keenly by those who love him.

This year, his Kawerau-based sister Holly Tamatea Raki, wanted August 19 to be a day when everyone came together and did something positive.

"I was heading out for a walk a few weeks back and decided to fill Luke's pack with 25kg of bottled water," she said.

"A typical day patrol pack for our New Zealand soldiers weighs approximately 25kg and this was in the back of my mind.

"I was walking down the road carrying the pack and I had the crazy thought of doing some sort of walk on August 19.

"For us, it gives us something positive to focus on for the day and also provides an opportunity to give back to an organisation that has helped so much since Luke died."

From there Weight on my Shoulders was born.

To be held on August 19, Weight on my Shoulders is a military-style walk/run that will see participants carry a 25kg pack the 14km between Te Teko and Kawerau.

Money raised will go to No Duff, a registered charity committed to providing immediate support for veterans in need.

"It has taken us six very difficult years to get to a place where we feel it is time to move forward and have a focus on giving back to help others who find themselves in need of support," Raki said.

She created a Facebook page to let people know about the event and said nothing could have prepared her for the response.

"I initially thought it would be family and close friends taking part," Raki said. "To date close to 100 people have confirmed they'll be there and a further 250 have expressed their interest.

"But that's the impact my brother had on people and I guess this is their way of showing it."

In a message to her brother posted on the Weight on my Shoulders page, Raki says: "I will make sure memories of you live on. I will let the world remember you. And if that means we all carry some weight on a walk, walking from home to home, that will be the easy part! The hardest thing about this event isn't of the weight or distance, it's creating a memory with you not here. I hope I make you proud brother. Let's do this team."

To register for the event, see here.