Latest news with #MarkHughesFoundation
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Health
- The Advertiser
Millions raised for Mark Hughes Foundation in Beanie for Brain Cancer round
THE RUGBY league community banded together to raise a whopping $3.5 million in the Beanies for Brain Cancer round of the NRL. The initiative led by the Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) saw a sea of purple and grey beanies on Friday, June 27, at McDonald Jones Stadium when the Knights took on the Raiders, and across all NRL matches for the weekend. This year's funds surpassed the $3.1 million raised in 2024, with over 130,000 beanies sold and Sportsbet donating $1000 for each of the 60 tries scored during Round 17. MHF founder Mark Highes said it never ceased to amaze him how much this round meant to the rugby league community. "The reality of living with brain cancer and the devastating effects that it has on so many Australians is something that would be easy to find overcoming, but this is never the case for the rugby league community," he said. "Every beanie is a symbol of hope, and we now have 3.5 million more reasons to tackle this insidious disease harder than before." NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said he was proud of how the community had stepped up in the fight against brain cancer. "This is a time when fans put aside their rivalries and come together in a wonderful show of support for a very worthy cause," he said. "Congratulations to the Mark Hughes Foundation for the work they have done in leading fundraising and research into fighting brain cancer." Also contributing to the fundraising was a 70-strong Big Three Trek contingent that tackled the 150km walk from Rugby League Central in Sydney to Newcastle to raise over $335,000 across three days. Novocastrian Scott Hingston successfully ran from AAMI Park in Melbourne to Newcastle, completing an epic 1100km journey, running 24 marathons in 12 days to raise awareness and $116,000 for brain cancer research. THE RUGBY league community banded together to raise a whopping $3.5 million in the Beanies for Brain Cancer round of the NRL. The initiative led by the Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) saw a sea of purple and grey beanies on Friday, June 27, at McDonald Jones Stadium when the Knights took on the Raiders, and across all NRL matches for the weekend. This year's funds surpassed the $3.1 million raised in 2024, with over 130,000 beanies sold and Sportsbet donating $1000 for each of the 60 tries scored during Round 17. MHF founder Mark Highes said it never ceased to amaze him how much this round meant to the rugby league community. "The reality of living with brain cancer and the devastating effects that it has on so many Australians is something that would be easy to find overcoming, but this is never the case for the rugby league community," he said. "Every beanie is a symbol of hope, and we now have 3.5 million more reasons to tackle this insidious disease harder than before." NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said he was proud of how the community had stepped up in the fight against brain cancer. "This is a time when fans put aside their rivalries and come together in a wonderful show of support for a very worthy cause," he said. "Congratulations to the Mark Hughes Foundation for the work they have done in leading fundraising and research into fighting brain cancer." Also contributing to the fundraising was a 70-strong Big Three Trek contingent that tackled the 150km walk from Rugby League Central in Sydney to Newcastle to raise over $335,000 across three days. Novocastrian Scott Hingston successfully ran from AAMI Park in Melbourne to Newcastle, completing an epic 1100km journey, running 24 marathons in 12 days to raise awareness and $116,000 for brain cancer research. THE RUGBY league community banded together to raise a whopping $3.5 million in the Beanies for Brain Cancer round of the NRL. The initiative led by the Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) saw a sea of purple and grey beanies on Friday, June 27, at McDonald Jones Stadium when the Knights took on the Raiders, and across all NRL matches for the weekend. This year's funds surpassed the $3.1 million raised in 2024, with over 130,000 beanies sold and Sportsbet donating $1000 for each of the 60 tries scored during Round 17. MHF founder Mark Highes said it never ceased to amaze him how much this round meant to the rugby league community. "The reality of living with brain cancer and the devastating effects that it has on so many Australians is something that would be easy to find overcoming, but this is never the case for the rugby league community," he said. "Every beanie is a symbol of hope, and we now have 3.5 million more reasons to tackle this insidious disease harder than before." NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said he was proud of how the community had stepped up in the fight against brain cancer. "This is a time when fans put aside their rivalries and come together in a wonderful show of support for a very worthy cause," he said. "Congratulations to the Mark Hughes Foundation for the work they have done in leading fundraising and research into fighting brain cancer." Also contributing to the fundraising was a 70-strong Big Three Trek contingent that tackled the 150km walk from Rugby League Central in Sydney to Newcastle to raise over $335,000 across three days. Novocastrian Scott Hingston successfully ran from AAMI Park in Melbourne to Newcastle, completing an epic 1100km journey, running 24 marathons in 12 days to raise awareness and $116,000 for brain cancer research. THE RUGBY league community banded together to raise a whopping $3.5 million in the Beanies for Brain Cancer round of the NRL. The initiative led by the Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) saw a sea of purple and grey beanies on Friday, June 27, at McDonald Jones Stadium when the Knights took on the Raiders, and across all NRL matches for the weekend. This year's funds surpassed the $3.1 million raised in 2024, with over 130,000 beanies sold and Sportsbet donating $1000 for each of the 60 tries scored during Round 17. MHF founder Mark Highes said it never ceased to amaze him how much this round meant to the rugby league community. "The reality of living with brain cancer and the devastating effects that it has on so many Australians is something that would be easy to find overcoming, but this is never the case for the rugby league community," he said. "Every beanie is a symbol of hope, and we now have 3.5 million more reasons to tackle this insidious disease harder than before." NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said he was proud of how the community had stepped up in the fight against brain cancer. "This is a time when fans put aside their rivalries and come together in a wonderful show of support for a very worthy cause," he said. "Congratulations to the Mark Hughes Foundation for the work they have done in leading fundraising and research into fighting brain cancer." Also contributing to the fundraising was a 70-strong Big Three Trek contingent that tackled the 150km walk from Rugby League Central in Sydney to Newcastle to raise over $335,000 across three days. Novocastrian Scott Hingston successfully ran from AAMI Park in Melbourne to Newcastle, completing an epic 1100km journey, running 24 marathons in 12 days to raise awareness and $116,000 for brain cancer research.
Sydney Morning Herald
25-06-2025
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
Family tragedy behind Thaiday's Mark Hughes Foundation push
NRL legend Sam Thaiday reveals his brother in law died from brain cancer last year, as he gears up to support the Mark Hughes Foundation's Beanies for Brain Cancer round.
The Age
25-06-2025
- Health
- The Age
Family tragedy behind Thaiday's Mark Hughes Foundation push
NRL legend Sam Thaiday reveals his brother in law died from brain cancer last year, as he gears up to support the Mark Hughes Foundation's Beanies for Brain Cancer round.
The Advertiser
23-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
'Special': 475 stadium staff to don beanies for annual NRL round
McDonald Jones Stadium will be a sea of purple and grey on Friday for the annual Beanie for Brain Cancer NRL round. All 475 stadium staff, including security guards, ticket attendants and food and beverage workers, will don a beanie when the Knights take on the Raiders at home. The bulk purchase equates to more than $10,000 raised for the Mark Hughes Foundation. It's the first time stadium owner Venues NSW has bought beanies for all staff, having supported the fundraiser in other ways in previous years. "When it all started to really kick off, we used to put the beanie sign out on the front of the venue and rename the stadium for beanie round," Mr Mantle said. "That was obviously great for building awareness when it was required, but as the foundation has grown, it's now naturally recognised, so it probably hasn't got the cut through that it used to have. "We looked at an opportunity to see how we could better reinvest that funding. "The best way we thought we could do that was to invest in the beanies, so we've purchased a beanie for every single event staff." Mark Hughes said he was very grateful for the support. "To see every staff member wearing our beanies here next Friday night will just make it that much more special," he said. The event will also be boosted by the arrival of participants on the annual Big Three trek, who walk from Sydney to McDonald Jones Stadium over three days, as well as Scott Hingston, who is running 1100km from Melbourne to Newcastle. Both initiatives have each raised more than $50,000 for the Mark Hughes Foundation. Hughes said the beanies fundraiser had gone from strength to strength each year. "We've come a long way," he said. "We've learned so much, and without the support of the good people who buy our beanies and support us in different ways, it doesn't happen." "I just see the beanies everywhere. People walk on the beach, walk on the streets. It's really overwhelming to see the support out there. "It's all about giving hope to brain cancer. So, people wearing their old beanies, people buying new beanies, it really is special." Mr Mantle is expecting a solid crowd for the much-loved NRL round. "Fortunately for us at the moment, the Knights are very well supported," he said. "We're on an average of just below 20,000 per game. So I'd expect well above 20,000. "I hope everybody comes in with the beanie on or if they don't have already have one, they purchase one on the night. I think it'll be amazing. "It's incredible to see how big this has gotten, and no doubt it could get so much bigger thanks to the work that Mark and Kirralee do with the foundation." McDonald Jones Stadium will be a sea of purple and grey on Friday for the annual Beanie for Brain Cancer NRL round. All 475 stadium staff, including security guards, ticket attendants and food and beverage workers, will don a beanie when the Knights take on the Raiders at home. The bulk purchase equates to more than $10,000 raised for the Mark Hughes Foundation. It's the first time stadium owner Venues NSW has bought beanies for all staff, having supported the fundraiser in other ways in previous years. "When it all started to really kick off, we used to put the beanie sign out on the front of the venue and rename the stadium for beanie round," Mr Mantle said. "That was obviously great for building awareness when it was required, but as the foundation has grown, it's now naturally recognised, so it probably hasn't got the cut through that it used to have. "We looked at an opportunity to see how we could better reinvest that funding. "The best way we thought we could do that was to invest in the beanies, so we've purchased a beanie for every single event staff." Mark Hughes said he was very grateful for the support. "To see every staff member wearing our beanies here next Friday night will just make it that much more special," he said. The event will also be boosted by the arrival of participants on the annual Big Three trek, who walk from Sydney to McDonald Jones Stadium over three days, as well as Scott Hingston, who is running 1100km from Melbourne to Newcastle. Both initiatives have each raised more than $50,000 for the Mark Hughes Foundation. Hughes said the beanies fundraiser had gone from strength to strength each year. "We've come a long way," he said. "We've learned so much, and without the support of the good people who buy our beanies and support us in different ways, it doesn't happen." "I just see the beanies everywhere. People walk on the beach, walk on the streets. It's really overwhelming to see the support out there. "It's all about giving hope to brain cancer. So, people wearing their old beanies, people buying new beanies, it really is special." Mr Mantle is expecting a solid crowd for the much-loved NRL round. "Fortunately for us at the moment, the Knights are very well supported," he said. "We're on an average of just below 20,000 per game. So I'd expect well above 20,000. "I hope everybody comes in with the beanie on or if they don't have already have one, they purchase one on the night. I think it'll be amazing. "It's incredible to see how big this has gotten, and no doubt it could get so much bigger thanks to the work that Mark and Kirralee do with the foundation." McDonald Jones Stadium will be a sea of purple and grey on Friday for the annual Beanie for Brain Cancer NRL round. All 475 stadium staff, including security guards, ticket attendants and food and beverage workers, will don a beanie when the Knights take on the Raiders at home. The bulk purchase equates to more than $10,000 raised for the Mark Hughes Foundation. It's the first time stadium owner Venues NSW has bought beanies for all staff, having supported the fundraiser in other ways in previous years. "When it all started to really kick off, we used to put the beanie sign out on the front of the venue and rename the stadium for beanie round," Mr Mantle said. "That was obviously great for building awareness when it was required, but as the foundation has grown, it's now naturally recognised, so it probably hasn't got the cut through that it used to have. "We looked at an opportunity to see how we could better reinvest that funding. "The best way we thought we could do that was to invest in the beanies, so we've purchased a beanie for every single event staff." Mark Hughes said he was very grateful for the support. "To see every staff member wearing our beanies here next Friday night will just make it that much more special," he said. The event will also be boosted by the arrival of participants on the annual Big Three trek, who walk from Sydney to McDonald Jones Stadium over three days, as well as Scott Hingston, who is running 1100km from Melbourne to Newcastle. Both initiatives have each raised more than $50,000 for the Mark Hughes Foundation. Hughes said the beanies fundraiser had gone from strength to strength each year. "We've come a long way," he said. "We've learned so much, and without the support of the good people who buy our beanies and support us in different ways, it doesn't happen." "I just see the beanies everywhere. People walk on the beach, walk on the streets. It's really overwhelming to see the support out there. "It's all about giving hope to brain cancer. So, people wearing their old beanies, people buying new beanies, it really is special." Mr Mantle is expecting a solid crowd for the much-loved NRL round. "Fortunately for us at the moment, the Knights are very well supported," he said. "We're on an average of just below 20,000 per game. So I'd expect well above 20,000. "I hope everybody comes in with the beanie on or if they don't have already have one, they purchase one on the night. I think it'll be amazing. "It's incredible to see how big this has gotten, and no doubt it could get so much bigger thanks to the work that Mark and Kirralee do with the foundation." McDonald Jones Stadium will be a sea of purple and grey on Friday for the annual Beanie for Brain Cancer NRL round. All 475 stadium staff, including security guards, ticket attendants and food and beverage workers, will don a beanie when the Knights take on the Raiders at home. The bulk purchase equates to more than $10,000 raised for the Mark Hughes Foundation. It's the first time stadium owner Venues NSW has bought beanies for all staff, having supported the fundraiser in other ways in previous years. "When it all started to really kick off, we used to put the beanie sign out on the front of the venue and rename the stadium for beanie round," Mr Mantle said. "That was obviously great for building awareness when it was required, but as the foundation has grown, it's now naturally recognised, so it probably hasn't got the cut through that it used to have. "We looked at an opportunity to see how we could better reinvest that funding. "The best way we thought we could do that was to invest in the beanies, so we've purchased a beanie for every single event staff." Mark Hughes said he was very grateful for the support. "To see every staff member wearing our beanies here next Friday night will just make it that much more special," he said. The event will also be boosted by the arrival of participants on the annual Big Three trek, who walk from Sydney to McDonald Jones Stadium over three days, as well as Scott Hingston, who is running 1100km from Melbourne to Newcastle. Both initiatives have each raised more than $50,000 for the Mark Hughes Foundation. Hughes said the beanies fundraiser had gone from strength to strength each year. "We've come a long way," he said. "We've learned so much, and without the support of the good people who buy our beanies and support us in different ways, it doesn't happen." "I just see the beanies everywhere. People walk on the beach, walk on the streets. It's really overwhelming to see the support out there. "It's all about giving hope to brain cancer. So, people wearing their old beanies, people buying new beanies, it really is special." Mr Mantle is expecting a solid crowd for the much-loved NRL round. "Fortunately for us at the moment, the Knights are very well supported," he said. "We're on an average of just below 20,000 per game. So I'd expect well above 20,000. "I hope everybody comes in with the beanie on or if they don't have already have one, they purchase one on the night. I think it'll be amazing. "It's incredible to see how big this has gotten, and no doubt it could get so much bigger thanks to the work that Mark and Kirralee do with the foundation."
Daily Mail
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Mary Fowler is cruelly trolled for supporting brain cancer charity - before they are firmly put back in their place
Matildas star Mary Fowler has been attacked online for supporting a highly popular brain cancer charity. The Manchester City forward shared an image online supporting the Mark Hughes Foundation, wearing one of the charity's distinctive blue beanies and urging her followers to purchase one as well. 'Got myself a new cute beanie in preparation for the NRL Beanie for Brain Cancer Round coming up at the end of June,' she posted. 'The team at the Mark Hughes Foundation are doing incredibly impactful work to help those in need. 'If you'd like to show your support, you can purchase a beanie following the link in my BIO.' Mark Hughes is a former NRL star who played 161 games for the Newcastle Knights, scoring 66 tries, winning two premierships and representing New South Wales in State of Origin during his career. In 2013, aged 36, he was diagnosed with brain cancer, a life-altering event that inspired him and his wife Kirralee to start the Mark Hughes Foundation in 2014. The Mark Hughes Foundation focuses on raising funds for brain cancer research, supporting patient care, and increasing awareness of the disease. One of its flagship events is the annual "Beanie for Brain Cancer" campaign, with over one million beanies sold and tens of millions of dollars donated to research and support programs. Building on this, the NRL holds the Beanie for Brain Cancer Round in June, during which fans, players, and clubs wear beanies to raise funds - most recently generating $3.1million in 2024. Fowler's efforts to promote the 2025 event was met with cynicism by one follower, though, who accused her of doing it for the money. 'How much are rugby league (Mark Hughes foundation) paying you?' they asked with a laughing emoji to mock the Matildas star further. One of Fowler's more polite followers pointed out that she had a connection to the game through her partner, Panthers star Nathan Cleary. 'Her partner plays league you muppet,' they replied. One troll tried to belittle her efforts, prompting the Mark Hughes Foundation to clarify that she was not being paid to endorse the charity And the Mark Hughes Foundation itself also replied, clarifying that Fowler was not being paid to promote the good cause. 'To be really clear we offered to send Mary a Beanie in the aim of her posting and improving our sales,' the foundation's official Instagram account replied. 'Mary then graciously went online, brought 3 beanies and had them shipped to the UK. 'Posted, not only a story, which we get from most influencers but a post and even collaborated with us and added our link to her bio. Way above and beyond. 'Also we do not pay anyone to promote our beanies and the NRL support us by hosting the Beanie Round they do not, nor need to pay anyone to wear them.' Beanies are available online through the Foundation's official website, where this year's options include the bold Violet Chunky Knit and the timeless Classic Grey, both priced at $29. Fans attending Round 17 matches from June 26 to 29 can also buy beanies at the stadiums. In addition, participating retailers such as Lowes, selected IGA supermarkets, and some Woolworths stores are stocking the beanies nationwide. All proceeds go directly toward brain cancer research and patient support programs run by the Foundation.
