The family of a three-year-old boy killed after being struck by a train at Wallace in October, joined Ballarat man Nathan Skewes on the final leg of his trek from Melbourne to Ballarat on Thursday night as an emotional tribute to their lost son.As revealed in The Courier last Saturday, Mr Skewes lost his wife Belinda to cancer six months ago and was overcome by the generosity the Ballarat community showed to his family at the time.On Tuesday, Mr Skewes took the train to Melbourne then began a three-day walk back to Ballarat as a way to raise funds for the Seccull family, still reeling from the loss of their boy, Ethan.The 31-year-old father-of-four said the journey started well, but his worries began to mount once blisters had formed on his feet and his arms began to burn half way through the first day’s walk.With no sunscreen and having underestimated his food requirements, Mr Skewes thought about giving up.“I just thought ‘what have I got myself into?’,” he said.“But the people who put me up on Tuesday night were fantastic. They gave me sunscreen, charged my phone, and helped me draw a better map.”On day two, Mr Skewes again struggled, but a surprise visit from his father armed with pain-killers helped dramatically speed up the journey.Sleeping in a tent in people’s backyards along the way, the weary traveller launched a lion-hearted 14-hour effort on Wednesday to make it back to Ballarat.“In Gordon and Wallace people were just coming out of their houses to encourage me and make donations – it was amazing,” he said.“I’m just glad I was able to help out this family and I’m proud of myself for achieving what I have.”Ethan Seccull’s parents Michelle and Jon joined other family members at Wallace at 8.30pm for an emotional reunion with Mr Skewes and continued the last four hours to Ballarat alongside him.“It was just big hugs all round,” he said.“I’d only met Jon a couple of days ago but we’re just so close now – it’s an amazing feeling.”Michelle Seccull said she couldn’t thank Mr Skewes, and the entire community, enough for their support.“It’s just been amazing all the well-wishes and kind words we’ve received, even from complete strangers,” she said.“Jon and my brother Nathan joined in (the walk), so I thought I’d get my runners too.”Mrs Seccull said the support received from the community had been a rare highlight in what had been a horror few months.“We’re taking off on a holiday over Christmas – we don’t really want to be around home for that this year.”To donate funds to the Seccull family over Christmas, transfer to National Australia Bank, Michelle Seccull BSB: 083 526, AC: 166437851.