HVO EMPLOYEES & RUGBY LEAGUE STARS RALLY BEHIND COLLEAGUE WHOSE STEP-SON HAS BRAIN CANCER

When Liam Foran, a trainer working at Hunter Valley Operations (HVO), heard that colleague Jesse Hall’s 17 year old step-son Hunter had been diagnosed with terminal stage 4 brain cancer, he knew he had to do something.

He called his brother, New Zealand rugby league player Kieran Foran, and Australian and Manly rugby league player Daly Cherry-Evans to get prizes for an employee raffle that has raised $5,357 for Mr Hall and his family.

Kieran Foran signed and donated the jersey, shorts and boots he wore in New Zealand’s historic win over Australia in the 2023 Pacific Championship Cup final. Cherry-Evans signed and donated the Australian jersey he wore in the same game.

Liam Foran is a father of five from Newcastle who also played rugby league for Manly. He said he broke down in tears when he got home from work and told his wife the news. He and colleague Brendon Williams worked with HVO’s training team to run the raffle.

“It is tragic news for Hunter and for Jesse and the rest of the family,” Liam Foran said.

“No parent should have to go through what Jesse is going through,” he said.

“We wanted Jesse to have some funds to help ease the burden of expenses or to make sure Hunter and the family have a memorable Christmas together, and to know he had our thoughts and support.”

“I am really thankful to my brother and Daly for their generous support, especially as my brother is grieving the tragic death of his own stepson.”

“There is a such a good supportive culture at the mine too. Lots of people know Jesse and generously got behind the raffle. It was really good to see.”

“Brain cancer is a terrible and underfunded disease. Our crews got behind the Mark Hughes Foundation by buying stickers for our hard hats. Mark came to a training day to explain more about brain cancer, as well as his foundation’s work to fund research into better treatments and support for people and families experiencing brain cancer. To have one of our own impacted by brain cancer so soon after, it really hit home.”

Mr Hall worked as an operator and trainer at HVO’s South Mine for five years. For the past three years he has worked as a site representative and manager for a contracting company that provides services to the mine.

A quiet man, when presented with the funds at the raffle prize draw before the morning shift start at the mine, Mr Hall was holding back tears.

He said the funds will be for Christmas and making memories.

“I am speechless with how everyone has rallied behind Hunter and the generosity of the people at HVO,” Mr Hall said.

Other people wishing to support the Hall family can do so via this go fund me page.

Around 1,200 Australians die from brain cancer each year. Brain cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in children, and adults aged under 40 in Australia. Survival rates have only increased by 1 per cent in the past 30 years.

To support or access help from the Mark Hughes Foundation visit markhughesfoundation.com.au.