Fred Borg may be gone but his memory will live on through the 24 Hour Fight Against Cancer Macarthur.
The words In Memory of Fred will forever be inscribed at the back of the shirts worn by all the participants in the 24 Hour Weekend event, starting this year on October 21-22.
Acting chairman Warren Morrison confirms that’s just one of the tributes to the late founder of the charity juggernaut, which has raised more than $4 million in just over 10 years.
Mr Morrison, along with committee treasurer Sue Scobie, discussed with the South West Voice in Macarthur the future of the charity without Fred Borg, who died just before last Christmas.
“Of course there will be tributes to Fred,’’ says Mr Morrison in answer to my question.
“Everyone [on the committee] has some ideas on tributes to Fred.
“It has to be done; he was the man and we will make people realise that,’’ he says.
A community bus to transport cancer patients, dedicated hospital nurse, cutting edge equipment, vouchers for treatment and a lot more has been paid for by money raised through 24 Hour over the past decade.
And that’s one thing that won’t change as a result of Fred Borg’s passing.
The charity is more than the 24 Hour weekend in October – it’s a number of events starting from the official launch in May.
Which means the committee is already in full swing for the new 12 month cycle, and the news so far is all good.
“We’ve got just about all the sponsors back, which is great,’’ Mr Morrison tells me.
“Plus four news one, thank you to all of them,’’ adds Ms Scobie.
They are Admark Constructions, Family Focus Legal, Grabacino and Kari.
“It’s really good to get sponsors from the Narellan and Camden area, because after all it’s a Macarthur focused organisation,’’ says Ms Scobie.
There is a change of location for the 2017 launch – it will be held in the Clintons new Toyota and Lexus showroom at Gregory Hills on Friday, May 26.
Sponsors receive their thank you plaques at the launch and a member of the local medical profession gives an overview of how the charity’s money is playing a vital role in cancer treatment.
It will be followed by a number of events, including a golf day on July 24, the Bob Jane/Paul Nunnari wheelchair push on September 1, the 24 Hour weekend and another big day at Tabcorp Menangle, which will focus on survivors and their families.
By then Warren Morrison is certain to have shed the “acting’’ from his chairman’s title as he confirms he will accept the position if it is offered to him at the 24 Hour AGM on May 22.
But he’s already found out that it’s a time consuming gig.
“Sitting next to Fred helped out – I learned a few things, even though I wasn’t in the chairman’s role, but I was lucky to meet a lot of the people involved,’’ says Mr Morrison.
“I am finding that man [Fred Borg] worked so hard, he was so good for the community I have more respect for him every day.
“He gave a lot of his time, made it all a personal thing with everyone who called and wanted to have a cup of coffee with him, he didn’t just leave it at an email or phone call.
“But other than that, the committee is unbelievable – the chairman oversees the good work that everyone does,’’ says Mr Morrison.
“At the end of the day my job is to make sure everyone has a good time doing what they have to do.’’
Mr Morrison says he’s been there helping out one way or another at 24 Hours for the past 11 years.
“Eleven years ago I asked Fred if I could help out with Kids of Macarthur. I said, ‘Fred, do you want a hand with Kids of Macarthur?’
“And Fred said, ‘Kids of Macarthur is going fine – but I’d like a bit of a hand with a new one called 24 Hour Fight Against Cancer’.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“It’s just been a progression since then for me and I have come to realise that the heart of the volunteer is what makes the difference,’’ says Mr Morrison.[/social_quote]
“We’re all volunteers, that’s what it is, we all give our time.’’
Mr Morrison has also had to step into Fred Borg’s shoes on council as well, where he is the flag bearer for Totally Locally Committed.
“I want to do the best job for the community not just in council but I’d like to do it for the 24 Hour as well,’’ he says.
For more information visit the 24 Hour website here.
