The Cochrane Lions Club continues to be a proud supporter of Cochrane Olympic luger Tristan Walker.

Once again the service club has stepped forward with a $1,000 donation towards the Canadian Flag fundraiser to assist Walker in representing our nation in the 2018 PyeongPang Winter Olympics, now only weeks away.

To help the athlete, a Canadian flag is currently available for signing at Cochrane Coffee Traders, 114 2nd Ave. W., but time is running out. It will soon be joining Walker in Korea.

Cochrane Lions president Jim Thorne says club members didn't hesitate to lend a hand.

"I think we're all familiar with the financial burden faced by athletes representing our country and of the commitment it takes to achieve excellence. Tristan has done just that and as it turns out he helped to bring home a bronze medal for Canada. We're happy to support him and wish him the best at this year's Olympics."

After the last Olympics, Walker attended a Lions Club meeting to thank them in person and presented them with an autographed photograph that hangs proudly in the Lions Den.

"He was appreciative of the support and that goes a long way," says Thorne.

Jeff Genung, of Coffee Traders, says when Walker approached the popular coffee spot to host the flag for a second time they didn't hesitate to lend a hand.

"He took the flag with him and carried it everywhere, so it was something dear to him and meant something about the community getting behind him and helping him out and helping him achieve a dream," says Genung.

During an interview with Cochrane Times reporter Patrick Price in 2014, the 26-year old athlete explained the impact of having that flag with him in Sochi.

“I honestly believe that the support we received from Cochrane and our sponsors made the difference of us finishing fourth instead of fifth,” Walker told Price.  “Just to know we had the support from home gave us that much more confidence. The support was a difference maker, and I want to thank each and every one who helped out.”

The Canadian luge relay team did finish fourth at the Sochi Olympics but recently the third place Russsian team was disqualified because one of its members tested positive for using performance enhancing drugs.

Walker and Justin Snith represent Canada in luge doubles and are part of the Canadian relay team. They've been building momentum for the games on the world cup circuit that stopped in Calgary in December.