LYDIA AND SARITA SIDDONS

Ms JENNY AITCHISON (Maitland—Minister for Regional Transport and Roads)—Congratulations to Lydia and Sarita Siddons on their recent fundraising efforts for the Mark Hughes Foundation. Following the tragic death of their husband and father, Leigh Siddons last year from brain cancer just 10 months after his diagnosis, Lydia and Sarita wanted to give back to the organisation which had supported them through their brain cancer care coordinator program. Lydia and Sarita took part in the Big 3 Trek. The trekking group of 40 walked 150km over three days, starting on Friday, June 30th from McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle and finishing at 4 Pines Park for Round 18, NRL Beanies for Brain Cancer Round game between Manly and the Roosters. While their stated aim was to raise $10,000 for the Mark Hughes Foundation, with sales, fund raisers and the GoFundMe page the result was over $25,000. The trekking group was a special mix of Brain Cancer Warriors, family and friends of those that have fought or still fighting brain cancer! Congratulations to both Lydia and Sarita for dealing with their grief in such a positive way and for the part they played in the $280,000 fundraiser.