Guyra's first Melanoma March will be held this Saturday in memory of resident Mark Brazier, who died three years ago from the skin cancer.
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His four sons, Angus, Harrison, Thomas, and Hugo, supported by their mother Kath, have raised money for melanoma research since 2016, hoping that no other family would have to endure the loss of a father and husband.
The Brazier boys' Five Cent Friday initiative has raised more than $25,000 since its launch in 2017, and received the Community Involvement Award at the Armidale Regional Youth Awards. This year's takings will be revealed in a ceremony at NEGS on Friday afternoon.
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“My boys are passionate about helping others, and I’m thankful that I can help them realise their dream by organising Guyra’s first Melanoma March," Mrs Brazier said.
"The funds raised from the event will go towards melanoma research that is so far-reaching it helps not only melanoma patients with new treatment options, but also those suffering from other forms of cancer that sadly affect so many Australian families."
The 15 kilometre march goes from the Guyra Showgrounds to Deano's Trout Farm, Black Mountain. Participants should assemble at the Showground at 7.30am; the march starts at 8.30am. For more information, to register to walk, or sponsor someone who is walking, visit www.melanomamarch.org.au.
The Melanoma March is Melanoma Institute Australia's main fundraising campaign, and has been held around Australia for eight years.
Melanoma, the MIA's website states, is Australia's national cancer, with someone dying from it every five hours. More than 14,000 Australians will be diagnosed with the disease, according to the MIA website, and 1800 will die from it. One in 14 Australian men and one in 24 women will be diagnosed with it in their lives; and it is the most common cancer in young Australians (15 to 39 year-olds).
This year, fellow NEGS students Eva Knox and Grace Cassidy (Year 11), moved by the Braziers' story, have placed collection jars around Guyra and Armidale to encourage the local community to donate to the Five Cent Friday campaign.
On Friday, the Brazier family; two representatives from the Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA), Sydney; Eva and Grace; and the entire school cohort will recreate MIA's umbrella logo in 5-cent coins at NEGS MPC Hall to celebrate the total amount raised.
