The club’s monthly race meeting at Maitland Park will be transformed into a fund-raiser for the Leukaemia Foundation and feature a pair of home grown international athletes because of the battle facing foundation members – the Sexton family.

Melanie Sexton, who turned 27 on Monday, underwent a bone marrow ­transplant last week and remains in Westmead Hospital to recover after a five-month fight with leukaemia.

The 2005 Maitland Junior Sportsperson of the Year required the operation, despite being in remission following several aggressive bouts of chemotherapy.

Once released from hospital Sexton, who is now based in Wollongong nearby older brother Brendan, will stay in Sydney with parents Chris and Sharon.

The Sexton family have been an integral part of MTC since its inception in 1999-2000, with Australian junior representative Melanie and London Olympian Brendan two of the club’s best products. Until six months ago, MTC still housed equipment on Sexton’s  Louth Park property.

“The Sextons have just been such solid members at our club since its inception,” MTC president Paul Humphreys said.

“Not only with successful elite athletes, but at the ground level as well.

“Brendan and Mel always come back to the club and up until six months ago we still had all our equipment on the family property with Chris and Sharon.

“This is our little way of helping the family and if Mel’s athletic prowess and tenacity is anything to go by she will put herself in the best possible position to fight this.” 

Humphreys said the “Moving For Mel” fund-raiser could be one of the biggest in the club’s history with existing members, neighbouring clubs and first timers expected to take part.

The support from both the triathlon and Maitland community has been overwhelming according to Mel’s brother Brendan.

“The community at home have been unbelievable,” he said.

“And it is more about the community than it is about the triathlon, this is about a good group of people.”

Brendan and fellow Maitland Triathlon Club product Aaron Royle will be at Maitland Park on Sunday and both have donated gear from their respective Olympic and Commonwealth games adventures.

Money raised on Sunday will go towards assisting the Sexton family and the Leukaemia Foundation.

To race pre-register on the club’s website or at the venue from 6am on the day.

Racing will take place from 7am.

A barbecue, live music and raffles will follow from 9am.