Locals rally to help mates fight cancer
MORE than 40 Kingaroy blokes shaved their heads and buzzed their beards on Saturday night to raise money for two close friends tragically diagnosed with cancer just a month apart.
Ben Brooks, 21, and Ryley Allery, 22, are fighting the same battle side-by-side, after both were handed the shocking news they had leukaemia.
Ben Irwin, one of the brains behind the event and a lifelong friend to both Ben and Ryley, said their group of mates were absolutely shattered.
“It’s was really rough when we heard about Ryley, and then we got the news about Ben. Everyone was just shocked and it took a while for them to get their heads around it,” Mr Irwin said.
“They’re just really good blokes, and they’re always there for you.”
Starting as a group chat between friends, five boys went to Kingaroy Hotel owner Bruce Garrod with the idea of a shave.
The plan quickly morphed into a colossal event with dozens signing up to be shaved or de-bearded.
As someone who has known the boys for many years and watched Ryley grow up alongside his own son, Mr Garrod said he was thrilled to see the Kingaroy community rally around them.
“It’s grown into something that I think is outstanding. How people in a community like this can come together and get behind these two young guys,” Mr Garrod said.
“You don’t realise how much something like this affects people until it affects someone you know.
“But they’re both in very good spirits, and they both have a very good sense of humour and they haven’t lost it, so it’s good to see.”
Funds raised will go toward the young men’s medical bills and cost of living while they’re out of work, particularly for Ben and his fiance Tegan Krosch who have a baby on the way.
With both Ben and Ryley in hospital in Brisbane, the boys tuned into the event via Zoom to witness the support building in their hometown.
Some of the amazing prizes up for grabs included signed NRL jerseys, NRL tickets, a chainsaw, a variety of meat trays and alcohol donated by business, sports teams and individuals in the South Burnett.
The Kingaroy Hotel also donated money from their bar sales.