Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) is delighted to announce a partnership with the Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) with the aim of raising funds and continuing to build awareness around the Foundation and its fight against brain cancer.
On behalf of his organisation, GRNSW Chief Executive Officer Steve Griffin presented a cheque to the Foundation for $20,000 at today’s National Greyhound Adoption Event at Sydney’s Moore Park, which will be the initial contribution from the industry.
“Over the next six months GRNSW will not only be working on fund raising for the Mark Hughes Foundation, but we will do everything we can to raise awareness of the mission of the Mark Hughes Foundation to reduce brain cancer in Australia,” Mr Griffin said.
“Brain cancer is the leading cause of death in children and adults under 40 years of age and with our sport having such a large audience across all demographics, our aim is to increase awareness through a number of ongoing initiatives.”
Among the leading initiatives will be the ‘Red & Blue All November Through’ campaign.
During the month of November, GRNSW will donate $161 every time the red rug (number 1) or the blue rug (number 4) wins a race at every NSW greyhound race meeting.
The selection of the blue and red rugs was because they are the colours of the Newcastle Knights, and the $161 amount was selected as during his National Rugby League career, Mark Hughes playing 161 first grade games for the Newcastle Knights.
During November GRNSW will conduct more than 1,200 races and it’s anticipated that this initiative will see in excess of $60,000 donated to the MHF.
GRNSW will also publicise the MHF through race names and on-track promotions and events at all racetracks, with an extra emphasis during the June week of the NRL Beanies for Brain Cancer round.
“We’re very grateful to the Greyhound Racing NSW for their substantial fundraising efforts from the Adoption Day and over the coming months to enable us to continue our research activities at the Mark Hughes Foundation,” Mark Hughes said.
“I’m especially looking forward to the month of November where I hope everyone is cheering on the red and blue rug which will help us in our race to beat brain cancer.”
At the age of 36, Mark Hughes was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2013 but he refused to be defined by his diagnosis and founded the Mark Hughes Foundation.
After surgery, radiation treatment and chemotherapy, there has been no regrowth of Mark’s tumour.
His foundation has raised in excess of $30 million for brain cancer research and in 2022 the Foundation partnered with the University of Newcastle to announce a $25 million centre for Brain Cancer Research.
“As an industry we are proud to be associated with the Mark Hughes Foundation and will do everything we can during this partnership to increase awareness about this awful disease and help to raise as much money for the Mark Hughes Foundation as we can,” Mr Griffin said.