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Andrea McQuitty, Wednesday, 30 June 2010 A Trust Fund to raise money for cystic fibrosis research has been set up in memory of Leon Wescombe. Leon Wescombe - Memorial Trust Fund for Cystic Fibrosis ResearchTasmanian paddler, Leon Wescombe, 29, is missing, presumed drowned, after a kayaking trip on the Consumnes River in California on June 13. Leon grew up in Devonport as part of a paddling family and a member of the Tasmanian Canoe Club, developing his skills at a young age on the Forth River. He became a highly experienced whitewater paddler who travelled around the World in search of good rivers. He was also a medical researcher who had won prestigious awards for his work and last week he was posthumously awarded his doctorate by the University of Sydney for his research into Cystic Fibrosis and Grave's disease. Leon was led into medical research following the loss of his mother from cancer when he was just nine.
Leon's family and friends have set up a medical research fund in his honour.
His father, Kerry Wescombe, says they hope to raise $100,000 to continue his son's work.
"There's never never enough funding for medical research," he said.
"They'll build bloody horse racing tracks and football grounds, but they won't spend any money on research.
"Constantly these projects are stopping because they can't get funding. So we thought; right, as something in his honour, we'll have this cystic fibrosis research fund."
"I've been already assured by the Menzies Centre and the cystic fibrosis organisation that every cent which goes into Leon's memorial trust fund will be spent on research," he said.
Mr Wescombe says so far they have raised more than $1,000.
To donate to the Leon Wescombe Trust Fund for Cystic Fibrosis Research go to: www.everydayhero.com.au/leonwescombe
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