Tweed Coaster Peter Roughead may have lost his battle against cancer earlier this year, but his sons and friends are ensuring the war against the disease goes on.
His family have got together to organise “Roughy”s Beach Touch Football Fundraiser” to be held in November of this year. All money raised will go directly to Cancer Council Australia and the Tweed Hospital Oncology Unit and it is hoped that this “Not for profit” fundraising event will become an annual event on the calendar.
To be held in front of the Coolangatta Hotel in Marine Parade on November 3 from 7am to 3pm, the competition will be open to 16 mixed teams with a maximum of eight players.
“The event itself is to recognise the cancer journey that many people in our local community are dealing with on a daily basis, the same journey my father went through for a two-year period,” his son Nathan said.
“I want to mark this with an event and address the battle cancer brings to both young and old.
“It’s a disease that we see all too often in our lives and we want others to know that it is ok to speak up and talk about what they are experiencing. That it is ok to have a bad day and that, on the good days, we should celebrate!”
Nathan said what they really need right now is sponsors.
For those of you who didn’t know “Roughy”, Peter was born on November 1, 1959. He grew up in Holland Park, Brisbane. Peter had a natural ability to all things sport but a passion for rugby league, touch football and surfing. His sporting ability was outstanding and he certainly had the speed to leave his opponents behind. The love of surfing lured Peter to the coast at 15 years of age, where he lived in Coolangatta. Here he met Michelle and they had two children, Nathan and Luke. He grew a well-known reputation in the local community and he was affectionately known as “Roughy”.
In December 2009, Peter was diagnosed with lung cancer, the year busy with continual treatments of radiation and chemotherapy, blood tests, scans and much more.
His sheer strength and determination during the treatment was extraordinary, he always had a smile on his face and the time for a chat.
In 2011 the cancer had travelled and ‘Roughy’ spent a lot of time in the Tweed Hospital Oncology Unit and always spoke very highly of the care and attention he received.
Peter was determined to beat “the demon” and he fought hard, but unfortunately the battle was lost in May 2012.
Anyone or any business interested in becoming involved as a sponsor or donating prizes should contact Nathan on rbtf.fundraiser@hotmail.com.
