ST Joseph's Regional College rallied on June 22, with hundreds of students donning beanies to raise funds for the Mark Hughes Foundation.
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It was part of the Beanies for Brain Cancer movement, aiming to raise awareness and money for brain cancer research.
The Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) is a charity formed in Newcastle by Mark and Kirralee Hughes following Mark's diagnosis with Brain Cancer in 2014.
To date the foundation has raised $4.7million in four years, funded a brain cancer biobank, a travel grants program, 10 research projects including two fellowships and a brain cancer care coordinator.
Port Macquarie's Caleb Scott was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2015. He was just nine years old.
He had the four centimetre by four and a half centimetre brain tumour removed and has since bravely fought against cancer, becoming somewhat of an ambassador for brain cancer awarness.
Caleb will be in year seven at the school next year and his mum, Suzanne Turpie, was thrilled the school was on board with fundraising efforts.
"It was a great opportunity to introduce Caleb to the school and the school to Caleb’s story, all while raising money for the foundation," she said.
"If we can raise awareness and funds it's something we will do for the rest of our lives."
Tanya Daley, assistant principal at the college, said brain cancer is close to the school's heart.
"We are big supporters of the Mark Hughes Foundation. We’ve had families at the school affected by brain cancer, and next year we will have Caleb here which we are very excited about," she said.
"It was great that he could come and meet with some of the students and see them wearing the beanies."
Students donate a gold coin and wear a beanie, with money raised - estimated to be $600 to $1000 - donated to the Mark Hughes Foundation.
Caleb is doing well, with regular scans coming back clear. However he will undergo a major operation in a bid to improve the effects of the tumour and ensuing treatments.
"We go to Sydney on July 4 as he has a big facial surgery on July 9," Mrs Turpie said.
"It will help get movement back on the right hand side of his face. That will involve a month in Sydney and further follow up surgeries after that.
"It wouldn't be possible without the organisation 'Cure My Brain'. They are making this operation possible."
Caleb said he is going well, and can not wait to join his older siblings in high school next year.
"I'm looking forward to high school next year," he said. "I think I'm most excited to do music as a subject."
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Matt Attard
I was raised in Port Macquarie and consider myself a true Port local. I'm a die-hard rugby league fan and don't mind taking a photo or two. I'd love to hear from you, so please contact me at any time.
I was raised in Port Macquarie and consider myself a true Port local. I'm a die-hard rugby league fan and don't mind taking a photo or two. I'd love to hear from you, so please contact me at any time.
