INXS LEGEND TO HIT HOBART FOR BIG BREKKIE
AN Australian rock legend will share stories of his battles with glaucoma and cancer as part of a fundraising effort for Tasmanian medical research.
INXS founding member Kirk Pengilly will take part in this year’s Big December Breakfast to raise money for the Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation, a not- for- profit that helps fund medical research.
Event co- ordinator Jess Gulliver said Pengilly would discuss his life, friendship with Michael Hutchence, wife Layne Beachley, and his battles with glaucoma and cancer.
“We’ll have entertainment from Croon, lots of Christmas carols, and a festive spirit in a year that probably hasn’t felt very festive,” she said.
Chief executive Heather Francis said there had been strong demand for research funding this year, with the foundation donating $ 1.1 million.
“For us that’s major — it usually sits between $ 600,000 and $ 700,000,” she said.
“It’s been a really galvanising year.”
She said Pengilly’s battle with narrow angle e glaucoma was as part of his motivation ti behind taking part in the event, with the disease prevalent in the state.
“He really wants to get the message out there about the importance of detection and intervention,” she said.
Tassie trio Croon will also take part in the event, with John X keen to get back to playing to hundreds.
The event will begin at 6.30am on December 15 at Wrest Point’s Tasman Room.
Tickets are available at Humanitix, with early- bird tickets costing $ 65 and rising to $ 75 on December 1.