So he set up a fundraiser and told friends he would shave his head if he raised $250.
And to see how much more he could raise, he then decided if he reached $500 he would run from his Moorngag home into Benalla.
And just for good measure he said if he hit $1000 he would make that run wearing a tutu.
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“Sunnie is a friend of the family, she’s looked after most of our kids in kinder, she’s a really beloved kinder teacher in Benalla,” Mr Crook said.
“We all know how a cancer diagnosis can affect a family and I've played footy for years with her husband, so I really wanted to help.
“Plus my wife wanted me to get rid of my hair, so I said if I raise the $250 I'd shave it off.
“Then I said I'd do the run if we hit a higher figure and if we hit $1000 I'd do it in the tutu, but I never expected that to happen.”
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Funnily enough Mr Crook said once he realised he was going to raise more than $1000 it was not too difficult to source a tutu.
“It was my wife's,” he said.
“She wore it for an end-of-season Auskick game the week before.”
Mr Crook said he was very lucky to be able to make the run on the day he chose, as just before he set off the latest COVID-19 lockdown was announced.
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“We were going to do the run, then have a few celebratory drinks,” he said
“We thought the lockdown started at 4 pm and with about 10km left we found out it started at 1 pm.
“So we kicked it into gear to make sure it was all done by then.
“Richard (Bull), Sunnie's husband came out and joined me for the last 10 km, too, which was really helpful.
“And a lot of people knew I was doing the run, so I had some friends and family come out and wave.”
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Mr Crook set off at 9 am and got into Benalla at 12.30, getting home just before the lockdown started.
“I want to thank everyone who donated,” he said.
“This is not about me, this is about the community and how good it is that everyone rallies around and helps each other.
“It's also about Sunnie and Richard, and how important it is to support them at this time.
“It is really great that people have shown them so much support, and shows how good it is to be a part of this community.”
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