The on-field action in the clash between Glen Innes-Guyra and the Barbarians took a backseat on Saturday as rugby enthusiasts dug deep for a cause close to home.
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Local children Tommy Gill and Josie Grob were diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukemia earlier this year within two weeks of each other.
They will undergo another seven months of intensive treatment in Newcastle but will still have fortnightly visits for years after.
Leonie Pettit organised a fundraiser at the rugby union clash on Saturday.
The local community got behind the cause.
“They have been both having a bit of a rough trot having bad side effects from the treatments,” she said.
“Tommy spent a lot of last week in intensive care. He’s out now.
“And Josie's not well either. She spent most of her time in hospital, whereas sometimes they can go to the Ronald McDonald house, which is where their mums are staying and the other kids.
“We just thought we would try to help them out a little bit financially and we ended up raising $3200.
“So they got about $1600 each and that has been transferred straight into their accounts now.”
Six hundred tickets were available in the mega raffle and sold out.
Local businesses lent a hand toward the fundraising efforts by donating items for auction.
A boot sat atop the bar and $400 was put into it.
“It was a cold day and there wasn't a massive crowd but everyone who came dug deep,” Pettit said.