Googong Public School deputy principal Dave Gwyther-Marchant is taking part in charity events to raise money for a brain cancer charity while being treated for the disease himself.

Dave received his brain cancer diagnosis in November 2024.

An ultramarathon runner, he said it came as a shock to everyone, including himself and his family.

Dave underwent surgery the following month to safely remove as much of the tumour as possible.

Subsequently, the results came back with another form of cancer, which is incurable.

Dave is raising money for Big Trek Three, an event he will take part in, which has surpassed $32,000 in donations.

“Fundraising isn’t my thing, I find it quite difficult because I don’t like asking people for things,” he said.

“I started with $5,000 and realised pretty quickly if you need to raise money you have to be transparent about your situation.”

Dave said this prompted him to jump back on social media to raise awareness.

He said support flooded in from people he grew up with or went to school with, family friends and others he hadn’t spoken to for 10 years.

All the donated funds will go towards the Mark Hughes Foundation to raise much needed funds for vital research.

The Big Three Trek is a 150km hike from the Sydney Cricket Ground to arrive at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on 27 June for the opening of the Beanie for Brain Cancer NRL Round.

“I’m looking forward to the trek. There’s about 70 people doing it: four or five of us with brain cancer, families directly affected by brain cancer who have lost loved ones or currently have a family member with cancer, media and ex-NRL players. A good bunch to have a yarn with and get to know and build my network,” Dave said.

“(Former NRL player) Mark Hughes will be doing it. It will be good, I’m really looking forward to it.”

Dave said the group will arrive at the stadium one hour before kick-off and head to the field for a lap of honour and photograph before watching the match.

“Family can walk with you for the last 1km or so. My wife, Fiona, and kids (daughters aged 4, 6 and 7) will join me for the last 1km so that will be nice,” he said.

Dave said his family have been very supportive throughout, including his wife attending appointments and doing all the driving, which he is unable to do during treatment.

To raise more money and awareness, Dave took on other challenges during his treatment period: run five kilometres every day during radiation treatment, run the Canberra Marathon (which he did only 10 days after finishing radiation treatment), run the Wollongong Marathon and beat his personal best for a 50-kilometre ultramarathon.

While he has been on leave since November, several fundraisers have also run at the school.

Donations to Dave’s fundraiser can be made here: bigthreetrek5.gofundraise.com.au/page/DaveGwyther-Marchant

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