Luke Van Harmelen

On September the 6th - we lost Luke Van Harmelen to a drug overdose. Luke was a retired gymnast and had represented gymnastics BC as a member of Team BC from 2014-2020 and when Covid-19 struck he was set to represent Team BC at his first Nationals and was the top ranked male national open gymnast in BC.

As many of you know - Luke faced some unimaginable childhood trauma at the hands of a trusted adult.

This trauma was too much to bear for our beautiful Luke and he turned to substances to cope with the unbearable pain.

Luke was in the process of turning everything around. He was engaged in therapy, he was working, and he had many wonderful things happening in his life. He was loved, and he knew he was loved. Sadly - he had a moment where the drive to use got the better of him… and this time the drugs that he used were not safe and they took his life.

Luke is at home with Jesus now, and he is at peace. We love you Lukey boy. Until we see you again.

**We are friends of the Van Harmelen family. We are walking this path with them, and would like to relieve some of the financial strain that this sudden loss brings. We want to help them with funeral expenses and counselling. Please help us.

To Luke: Always

Update September 14th: The Van Harmelens are overwhelmed by the generosity shown to them. They want you to know that they are thankful from the bottom of their hearts. From their inner circle: Thank you for helping us to help the Van Harmelens put Luke to rest… thank you. It means the world to us knowing that funds are available for the family to heal with the support of counselling on an ongoing basis.

Previous update: After 24 hours of seeing the absolute heart break and devastation being experienced by the family and community - the goal is being adjusted to cover the counselling that is going to be necessary to walk this difficult path without Luke. Thank you for supporting this wonderful family - to relieve the financial strain caused by a funeral and counselling - thank you.