The Wellington Cowboys are aiming to raise thousands of dollars to help two members of the community in need.
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The football club and Wellington businesses have worked together to put together a fundraising event for Grace Sharp and Ryan Medley on Saturday night at the Wellington Hotel.
Grace is a two-year-old that is fighting a very rare and aggressive childhood cancer while Mr Medley was injured while playing a reserve grade match for Dubbo CYMS against Wellington a fortnight ago.
Cowboys vice-president Mark Lousick said he was impressed but not surprised by the generosity of Wellington people.
“It doesn’t matter what the cause is, the community will always come out and support it and we are excited about how the night is going to go,” he said.
“I’m very pleased with everything that everyone has done and the items that have been donated.”
The match between the Cowboys and the Macquarie Raiders on Saturday afternoon is the Indigenous round and the Cowboys will wear unique jerseys to promote the Quit B Fit Tackling Indigenous Smoking program.
Following the conclusion of the game, players, fans and others from the community will head to the Wellington Hotel for the fundraiser.
Former Canberra Raiders coach Buck Rodgers is guest speaker and Gold Coast Titans players Ash Taylor and Tyrone Roberts
The Cowboy’s jerseys from the match will be auctioned off along with other prizes including a $3600 toolbox, a $1000 accommodation voucher, a large number of beauty and cosmetic vouchers and a wide array of sporting memorabilia.
Mr Lousick said both of the beneficiaries of the fundraising event were going through tough times, and deserved all the help they could get.
At just seven months of age, Grace was diagnosed with a rhabdoid tumour and had to undergo 16 months of surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation. She was cleared of the cancer earlier this year, only for a three-month scan to pick up its return.
“It’s just horrific what Grace and her parents Sarah and Keiran have had to go through. She has 11 needles a day and so many surgeries.
“You wouldn’t wish that upon anyone but she is such a tough little fighter.”
Mr Medley was injured in a tackle during a match between CYMS and the Cowboys on June 4.
He was airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital where he underwent surgery for damage to his spinal cord and C5 vertebrae. The full extent of his injuries still aren’t known but he faces a long road to recovery.
The fundraiser at the Wellington Hotel starts at 7pm on Saturday night.