They’re both Maitland identities, proud fathers and they both have young sons who suffer from type 1 diabetes.

Mr Quinn’s four-year-old son, Darcy, was diagnosed when he was two years old.

Mr Parkinson’s oldest son Sam, 7, was diagnosed at age three with the auto-immune disease.

This connection encouraged the pair to organise the first type 1 diabetes fundraiser to be held outside of a

capital city in Australia - the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Luncheon - at Marcellin Park this month.

The fact that Maitland would hold this honour is

fitting, with the Hunter Valley having the unenviable statistic of being the area with the third highest rate of type 1 diabetes incidence in the world.

Mr Parkinson said his 20 years at the Maitland Blacks helped when organising the lunch.

“I approached Jason Gascoigne (Maitland Blacks president) about organising a lunch to raise money as a joint venture between the rugby club and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation,” he said.

“Without hesitation the club committed to the fundraising effort.”

Mr Quinn, who has hosted several Maitland Blacks presentation nights, will be the master of ceremonies and type 1 diabetes sufferer and former Wallaby Rod Kafer will address the 200-strong crowd.

The lunch starts at noon on November 20.

Tickets are $100 each for a two-course meal and refreshments. Contact Mr Parkinson on 0438 698 638.