Saying his initial intention was simply to “give my liver a break” by swearing off alcohol for the month, Brett discovered he could pay tribute to his brother Paul at the same time.
It was only while researching how to register that Brett realised the beneficiaries of Dry July were cancer charities.
Having only recently lost Paul to a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer, he pledged to raise money for the Mark Hughes Foundation.
And since he signed up, their sisters Natalie Lea and Felicity Gallagher and Paul’s mates Dale Trevorrow and Michael Cummins have also signed up.
“In February this year Paul, otherwise known as ‘Sconehead’, succumbed to a rare form of brain cancer. For this reason, we want to do what we can to assist other families that have or will experience this trauma in their lives,” Brett said.
“The Mark Hughes Foundation is a Brain Cancer Charity formed in Newcastle by Mark and Kirralee Hughes, following Mark’s diagnosis with brain cancer in 2013.
“The Mark Hughes Foundation’s mission is to raise much needed funds for research, to create awareness and support brain cancer patients and their families.”
Brett said anyone who knowns the Norris family will know how much of a challenge it will be for them to go without alcohol for an entire month.
And he said he’s sure Paul would be laughing about it.
But he said their main aim is to help other people like Paul, and their families.
At the time of going to print yesterday, Brett’s online fundraising tally was already $3,457.90 after one week of fundraising.
He also had two other pledges of $1000.
Another $1000 has been raised by Natalie and Dale combined, while Felicity and Michael are yet to activate their online fundraising pages.
To donate to any of the fundraisers, go to www.dryjuly.com and search their name.
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