August 26, 2015
St John’s Lutheran Primary School student Hughie Wyvill achieved the impossible on Tuesday.
The pint-sized fundraiser turned South Burnett Regional Council Mayor Wayne Kratzmann into a pizza chef when the pair teamed up in the kitchen for a good cause.
Hughie, 10, recently wrote to ask the Mayor’s assistance when he decided to help a close friend called Bailey, 16, who is being treated for Ewing Sarcoma at Brisbane’s Lady Cilento Hospital.
Hughie’s parents, South Burnett Regional Council town planner Samantha Dunstan and Council engineer Matt Wyvill, said they hadn’t expected any special treatment from the Mayor when their son sent off his letter.
“Hughie wrote a letter, which we helped him with, and it was sent to various people and organisations,” Ms Dunstan said.
“It was all his idea. He was asking for small things to raffle, or some kind of assistance.
“So it was lovely when the Mayor suggested we do a pizza day, and said he would donate his time and the ingredients, and that all the money raised could go to Bailey.”
Hughie’s school was happy to give the kind-hearted student the day off so he could don an apron and gloves to help the Mayor make pizzas.
After the cooking, Hughie also worked as delivery boy, much to the delight of Council staff, whose $15 pizza orders went towards the fundraiser for Bailey.
Those on diets made donations instead.
Hughie and Mayor Kratzmann made about 50 pizzas for staff throughout the day.
Staff did not take time off for the event, with most taking their orders home for dinner with family and friends.
Mayor Kratzmann said Council staff were always happy to support good causes.
“This was all about Hughie,” he said.
“It’s about a mate helping a mate. It was Hughie’s idea, and we were just happy to help out. Hughie is just one example of the kids we are producing in the South Burnett and when they show some initiative, it’s good to give them a helping a hand.”
Ms Dunstan said Hughie, a keen martial arts competitor, met Bailey when he began training with the Red Dragons in Caboolture last year.
The older boy, a more accomplished martial arts competitor, mentored Hughie, and taught him moves and tricks.
When Bailey failed to show up for training and competitions because of a sore leg, Hughie immediately missed his friend.
He was devastated when he later learned Bailey had cancer.
Following chemo, Bailey faces surgery to have his tibia removed and replaced with a prosthetic bone, followed by a further 22 weeks of chemo and radiation.
Hughie said: ‘That’s not fair. I want to help’, Ms Dunstan said.
The Mayor’s pizza day is just one stage of Hughie’s fundraising campaign for Bailey and his Mum, who is a single parent.
So far, Hughie has also received:
- A Queensland Cowboys boot signed by Johnathan Thurston
- A limited edition purple Relay For Life cricket ball relay for life signed by South Burnett cricket identity Carl Rackemann
- A backpack and fishing gear from South Burnett Regional Council Community And Events Manager Kristy Board
- A hand-knitted town crier toy knitted by the Mayor’s Personal Assistant’s mum
Ms Dunstan says Hughie intends to raffle the items to raise money for Bailey.
Former NRL referee and current MP for Everton Tim Mander, and Australian cricketer, Kingaroy-born and bred Holly Ferling, have also promised to send merchandise for the cause.
“It’s all been driven by Hughie; we’re just supporting him,” Ms Dunstan said.
[Photos: SBRC]
Good to see Wayne learning new skills, ready to go to work for his new boss next year.
So nice to read a positive story. Well done to Hughie and everyone involved.