Oliver Lees
The Sunbury community is digging deep to support a family that has been devastated by cancer.
Husband and wife Sue Dohmen-Jolly and Brent Jolly both died from cancer related illnesses in the last three months, leaving their children Nathan, Jack and Maddison without parents.
The Sunbury Jets Basketball Association (SJBA) launched a GoFundMe page last Tuesday, 3 August with all funds raised going toward assisting the children with everyday living expenses.
The money will also contribute to allowing Nathan to continue his university studies.
The site smashed its fundraising goal of $100,000 in less than two days.
SJBA general manager Christopher Tighe said the club wanted to help give back to a family that had given so much to basketball in Sunbury.
“The whole family has been involved in the club at some level and we were shocked and saddened to hear this news,” Mr Tighe said.
“Brent was one of those guys that would do anything to help out around the association, he coached a number of our domestic basketball teams and was a life member of the Sunbury Braves.
“After his and Sue’s diagnoses he still helped when and where he could, he was devastated that he could not help continue with coaching after he started getting sick. This was because he felt he was letting down the kids.
“Sue has done management for the domestic teams and all the kids have played domestic basketball.
“It’s not just a loss for the association, but for the basketball community and Sunbury as a whole.”
Mr Tighe said he had been in contact with Nathan, Jack and Maddison who had expressed their gratitude for the support from the community and beyond.
“We’re also considering honouring the family by creating some sort of annual fundraising event for cancer research,” he said.
To donate, visit: bit.ly/2TWdQJV
