The people who gathered spoke volumes of the character and new cause driving Kurri kid Mark Hughes.
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Family, friends and former teammates from near and far were on hand to see the 37-year-old father-of-three officially launch the Mark Hughes Foundation at the Hunter Medical Research Institute yesterday.
The support was also forthcoming financially, with the foundation kick- started with $50,000 already in the kitty.
It comes nine months after Hughes was first diagnosed with brain cancer and he remained appreciative of those who had extended a helping hand along the way while the chips were down.
“When you’re in the trenches you need support off people you trust, and your friends, and that is what’s happened,” Hughes said.
“It’s been amazing from when I got diagnosed to today, just the support of everyone ... former teammates, friends from Kurri, just the community.”
Hughes’ captain at the Newcastle Knights Paul Harragon was the host of yesterday’s launch, best mate Danny Buderus was named the foundation’s ambassador while club hall of famers Andrew Johns and Matthew Gidley were on hand alongside former teammates such as Adam Muir, Ben Kennedy, Stephen Crowe and Troy Fletcher.
The Knights themselves have come on board and will designate a home match this season to the newly formed charity while further into the rugby league world Jeff Polglase from the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs continues to assist.
To the business world and TJS Services, the company which Hughes owns a Hunter franchise, have pledged $20,000 a year according to founder Todd Jacques.
And there are those from the community who have already made a difference by raising funds – the Kurri Mongrels with their recent five-day bike ride, last year’s golf day in the vineyards organised by childhood friends Rob Flanagan and Kane Bradley and the shopping trip arranged by Fran and Glenda.
The Maitland Mercury contributed $6170 from its 50th anniversary Maitland Sportsperson of the Year awards held in March which were dedicated to the Mark Hughes Foundation.
“To have $50,000 already here because of people like the Mercury, people like the Kurri Mongrels, these groups have really helped kick-start this on,” Hughes said.
“Today’s a really proud day for me and I thank everyone for coming.”
More fund-raising ideas are already in the pipeline with “A Beanie for Brain Cancer” day being aimed at Hunter schools.
All money will go directly to the HMRI for brain cancer research, one of the most under-funded cancers in Australia.
Michael Nielsen from the HMRI and Hughes’ doctor Michael Back, of the Sydney Neuro-Oncology Group, told of the need for research into brain cancer and how this foundation will help others.
It was only a discovery in Germany in 2005, published in 2008, and then implemented to treatment in Australia which allowed Hughes to survive.
“It’s exciting, we want to make a difference and we’re going to do that,” Hughes said.
“We’re excited to be working with HMRI at such a world class facility and now we just have to get them studying brain cancer.”
One day there may even be a professor for the cause, which Hughes dealt with using his characteristic wit.
“That’s a goal, there could be a professor Mark Hughes,” he said.
“But I don’t think I’ll be doing the study.”
The website can be found at www.markhughesfoundation.com.au.
