Darren Castle's MND Fundraiser
Donation protected
The Castle
Darren Castle is the guy that walks into a room and captivates the audience, he makes you laugh until your eyes water. This is mostly due to his wicked story telling skills and tongue in cheek sense of humour. You never know if he is telling you the truth or spinning you a tale, due to his serious poker face. I have witnessed even the most cynical of men become a believer. His laugh is contagious.
Darren’s the loving father who talks about his children constantly with such love and pride, not gloating, just wanting to humbly share his offspring’s accomplishments and how proud he is of them.
He is the co-worker that has his desk covered in photos of his growing children. He’s the guy with “world’s greatest dad” coffee cup. Darren is the family man.
He is the husband that loves his wife very much, even though he might forget to express it to her directly, he tells others often. He’s the brother that speaks fondly of his sister with nothing but gratitude for her love and guidance throughout his life. He’s the mate that enjoys a beer or a earthy red wine, he’s the friend that would give the shirt off his back if he thought you needed it.
Darren’s the guy that dedicates 36 years to the company, he is very well known within the healthcare industry. He’s the most loyal, dedicated, inspirational employee who treats his co-workers like family. He’s the guy dressing in scrubs, making the nurses laugh. The one who walks through hospital corridors saying hello to everyone – he has a way of connecting with everyone, he is highly respected in his field and known to go above and beyond to help out others. He has an impeccable work ethic, the guy who has 3 sick days in 35 years and always took a call even when he was on leave.
Darren is the guy wearing the shorty-shorts, playing bat ball at Bar beach or in the work car park in his lunch break. He’s the guy who doesn’t feel the cold, is allergic to prawns, eats his brussel sprouts before his steak (because that’s the way his mum wanted him too as a child growing up), he wears a sunglasses straps on his sunnies, wears his heart on his sleeve and the guy who constantly motivates you to be a better person. He loves life and has lived it to the fullest, having an impact on everyone he has come to know.
Darren is the cricket coach, that inspires his team. He’s the guy that commits 13 years to the Newcastle City Cricket club and Newcastle Junior Rep (U9 to U16). He’s the guys that continues to turn up to the games to cheer his team on, despite his condition.
He didn’t complain when he started having some niggling issues with his knee, just chalking it up to old age. Just thinking it might be time to hang up the old bat ball.
In May the knee worsened, the whole leg muscles deteriorated, and the breathing difficulties started, Darren decided it was time to get some answers.
After months of doctors, questions, referrals, blood tests, nerve tests, MRI’s and CT Scan’s to no avail, he finally got an appointment to see a neurosurgeon. With high hopes that he would finally have some answers, he was happy to be poked and prodded.
However, that hope was short lived and the results were much worse than originally thought.
In September Darren was given the diagnosis of Motor Neuron Disease.
Darren in 56 Years young.
MND is a disease that is becoming more common, but still a disease that people know very little about and has very little funding/treatment available.
MND is a horrible disease that slowly degenerates the nerve cells controlling muscles that enable us to speak, move, swallow and breath. The nerves eventually die and essentially leave the person trapped in their own body.
The progression of the disease effects everyone differently, Darren seems to have a rather aggressive form. Day to day living has dramatically changed for him.
There is no treatment, no cure, no turning back, no way of taking this away from him. Darren has been advised to rest and enjoy his time.
You certainly can’t image what Sandy, Darren’s wife, is going through, this is her husband, the love of her life, the one she was meant to grow old with.
The purpose of this page is to try and carry some of the financial burden for Darren and his family. Darren’s family home requires some expensive modifications to prepare for his rapidly declining health. Sadly, the house will require wheelchair access shortly.
It is our hope that your donations can assist with treatments options that are being made available so that Darren can have quality of life and enjoy his time with his family. So please dig deep, every dollar counts.
Even today, Darren demonstrates strength and courage, walking through life with his head held high. Darren is the most independent, proudest man I have ever known.
This is Darren’s story, he deserves the world and everything in it.
Darren Castle is the guy that walks into a room and captivates the audience, he makes you laugh until your eyes water. This is mostly due to his wicked story telling skills and tongue in cheek sense of humour. You never know if he is telling you the truth or spinning you a tale, due to his serious poker face. I have witnessed even the most cynical of men become a believer. His laugh is contagious.
Darren’s the loving father who talks about his children constantly with such love and pride, not gloating, just wanting to humbly share his offspring’s accomplishments and how proud he is of them.
He is the co-worker that has his desk covered in photos of his growing children. He’s the guy with “world’s greatest dad” coffee cup. Darren is the family man.
He is the husband that loves his wife very much, even though he might forget to express it to her directly, he tells others often. He’s the brother that speaks fondly of his sister with nothing but gratitude for her love and guidance throughout his life. He’s the mate that enjoys a beer or a earthy red wine, he’s the friend that would give the shirt off his back if he thought you needed it.
Darren’s the guy that dedicates 36 years to the company, he is very well known within the healthcare industry. He’s the most loyal, dedicated, inspirational employee who treats his co-workers like family. He’s the guy dressing in scrubs, making the nurses laugh. The one who walks through hospital corridors saying hello to everyone – he has a way of connecting with everyone, he is highly respected in his field and known to go above and beyond to help out others. He has an impeccable work ethic, the guy who has 3 sick days in 35 years and always took a call even when he was on leave.
Darren is the guy wearing the shorty-shorts, playing bat ball at Bar beach or in the work car park in his lunch break. He’s the guy who doesn’t feel the cold, is allergic to prawns, eats his brussel sprouts before his steak (because that’s the way his mum wanted him too as a child growing up), he wears a sunglasses straps on his sunnies, wears his heart on his sleeve and the guy who constantly motivates you to be a better person. He loves life and has lived it to the fullest, having an impact on everyone he has come to know.
Darren is the cricket coach, that inspires his team. He’s the guy that commits 13 years to the Newcastle City Cricket club and Newcastle Junior Rep (U9 to U16). He’s the guys that continues to turn up to the games to cheer his team on, despite his condition.
He didn’t complain when he started having some niggling issues with his knee, just chalking it up to old age. Just thinking it might be time to hang up the old bat ball.
In May the knee worsened, the whole leg muscles deteriorated, and the breathing difficulties started, Darren decided it was time to get some answers.
After months of doctors, questions, referrals, blood tests, nerve tests, MRI’s and CT Scan’s to no avail, he finally got an appointment to see a neurosurgeon. With high hopes that he would finally have some answers, he was happy to be poked and prodded.
However, that hope was short lived and the results were much worse than originally thought.
In September Darren was given the diagnosis of Motor Neuron Disease.
Darren in 56 Years young.
MND is a disease that is becoming more common, but still a disease that people know very little about and has very little funding/treatment available.
MND is a horrible disease that slowly degenerates the nerve cells controlling muscles that enable us to speak, move, swallow and breath. The nerves eventually die and essentially leave the person trapped in their own body.
The progression of the disease effects everyone differently, Darren seems to have a rather aggressive form. Day to day living has dramatically changed for him.
There is no treatment, no cure, no turning back, no way of taking this away from him. Darren has been advised to rest and enjoy his time.
You certainly can’t image what Sandy, Darren’s wife, is going through, this is her husband, the love of her life, the one she was meant to grow old with.
The purpose of this page is to try and carry some of the financial burden for Darren and his family. Darren’s family home requires some expensive modifications to prepare for his rapidly declining health. Sadly, the house will require wheelchair access shortly.
It is our hope that your donations can assist with treatments options that are being made available so that Darren can have quality of life and enjoy his time with his family. So please dig deep, every dollar counts.
Even today, Darren demonstrates strength and courage, walking through life with his head held high. Darren is the most independent, proudest man I have ever known.
This is Darren’s story, he deserves the world and everything in it.
Organizer and beneficiary
Brihony Gavenlock
Organizer
The Junction NSW
DARREN CASTLE
Beneficiary
Raised $4,600 from 10 donations
