On a drizzly first Saturday of November, something remarkable happened at Hornsby. A team of Hire A Hubby Franchisees didn’t let the weather stop them from joining the fight against cancer at the 2024 Cancer Council of Australia Relay For Life – because they know that cancer doesn’t stop for rain, and neither would they.
Meet Our Warriors: Hubby’s for Hope
With hearts full of purpose, an inspiring group of Franchisees came together, led by the passionate Derek Pang of Hire A Hubby Hornsby. Each member brought not just their time, but their personal connection to this vital cause:
- Rick and Libby Hansen, Hire A Hubby Thornleigh
- Paul and Fiona Nolan, Hire A Hubby Lindfield
- Giles and Rebecca Smith, Hire A Hubby Forestville
- Kurt Sona and Samantha Townsend, Hire A Hubby Wahroonga
We were especially honoured to have Hire A Hubby CEO, Brendan Green, walking shoulder-to-shoulder with our team, demonstrating that from leadership to franchisees, we’re united in this crucial fight.
A Serendipitous Beginning
The story of how we joined this lifechanging event shows how small moments can lead to meaningful impact. Derek Pang shares, “What started as a simple request to help set up marquees blossomed into something much more meaningful.
We saw an opportunity to not just assist with setup, but to actively support both the Cancer Council of Australia and raise critical awareness for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.”
The 2024 event marked Derek’s third year, but this time was different. “I got a bit choked up seeing eight Franchisees, our CEO, and Marketing Manager give up their Saturday for this cause,” Derek explained. “In a world where weekends are precious, their dedication to helping others truly shows what we’re made of.”
Walking with Purpose
As our team traded work boots for walking shoes, every lap around Rofe Park oval carried special meaning. Among us walked cancer survivors and their carers – true heroes whose presence reminded us why we were there. “Having survivors from our own team walking with us, sharing their stories, it was incredibly moving,” Derek reflects.
While a drizzling misty rain hung around all day, it became the catalyst for one of the event’s most powerful moments. “I was talking to a young guy about the drizzle being a bit inconvenient,” recalls one of our team members who went on to walk an inspiring 23 kilometers that day. “I mentioned that this minor discomfort was nothing compared to what people with cancer go through every day. The way he thanked me – you could see it hit home. It was a genuine lightbulb moment for both of us.”
That simple exchange exemplified why events like Relay For Life matter so much. They’re not just about raising funds; they’re about shifting perspectives, building understanding, and inspiring action. Each of those 23 kilometers walked in the rain became a testament to this deeper understanding – that our temporary discomfort is a choice we make willingly, a small gesture of solidarity with those who face much greater challenges without choice.
Bringing Joy to the Journey
To lift spirits during break times, our team got creative with quintessential “Hubby” style activities. We transformed common hardware items into games of chance – nuts and bolts for counting games and coin tosses for chocolate prizes. These simple activities brought smiles and laughter, raising over $200 for cancer research while building community among participants.
More Than Just an Event – It’s About Hope
The 2024 Cancer Council Relay For Life represents something profound: it’s about standing together in the fight against cancer, about showing those affected that they’re not alone, and about working toward a future where cancer is no longer a feared word.
We’re already looking forward to 2025, when we’ll return with an even stronger team and greater determination. Because every step we take, every dollar we raise, brings us closer to finding a cure. Together, we walk for those who can’t, celebrate those who’ve survived, remember those we’ve lost, and fight back against cancer with unwavering hope.
The day may have been wet, but our spirits were unshakeable. Because in the end, it’s not about the weather – it’s about showing up, standing together, and never giving up hope for a cancer-free future.
The ripple effect.
