Billy Weekes made plenty of tackles on the football field for the Warilla Gorillas back in the day, but the once fit young man is almost 70, and suffering terminal cancer.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Weekes was living in Thailand when he was diagnosed, and his daughter Sarah immediately flew to his side.
She hoped to bring him home, however, in just a few short weeks his health deteriorated to the point where he could not fly.
Mr Weekes' only child, she is now nursing him in Thailand, far from the love and support of her family.
Family friend Debbie Harrison said she felt helpless, so started a GoFundMe in the hopes those with fond memories of Mr Weekes might help contribute to the cost of his medication - and for Sarah to bring his ashes home.
"He didn't want to stay in hospital, so he's at home with Sarah and progressively getting worse," Ms Harrison said.
"He grew up in Warilla, played football for the Gorillas as a junior, then first grade when he was older.
"He got married in his early 20s, worked on the railway and settled down.
"He's a good bloke who loves his daughter to bits and Sarah adores her dad."
The Illawarra Mercury newsroom is funded by our readers. You can subscribe to support our journalism here.
