Help Cornellius Find Peace in His Final Journey

A Heartfelt Request. 

I’m reaching out to the local community you with a heavy heart, hoping to share the story of a truly remarkable man, Cornellius, and his lifelong friend and now carer, Phillip, who are facing unimaginable challenges.

 My fiancé and I were planning our wedding in April and had the honor of choosing Cornellius as our celebrant. From the moment we met him, we knew he was the perfect person to officiate our special day. His kindness, warmth, and support meant the world to us, and we were so excited to have him be part of our celebration.

 However, after returning from a recent overseas holiday, we learned the devastating news that Cornellius has been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. He has made the difficult decision not to undergo treatment, as the risks far outweigh any potential benefits. 

Despite this heartbreaking news, Cornellius has continued to focus on our wedding, even from his bed in palliative care, and worked tirelessly to help us find a replacement to officiate in his place. But the challenges for Cornellius and Phillip don’t stop there. They are now facing serious financial hardship. 

Due to the sudden nature of Cornellius’ diagnosis, they are no longer able to keep up with their financial obligations. Phillip will soon be without a home, as his pension no longer covers their rent, and he will be forced to find a place to live in his caravan. They had planned for a comfortable retirement, but this illness has completely derailed their plans. 

 In a desperate attempt to cover some of the costs associated with Cornellius’ end-of-life care, they have begun selling their cherished collector’s items, which they’ve spent years accumulating. They are doing everything they can to stay afloat, but it’s simply not enough.  

Cornellius has also shared with us that he has a bucket list of places he hopes to visit before he passes, including Uluru and Tasmania, but the reality of their situation is making that dream harder to reach. 

 It is with deep compassion and a sense of urgency that I am setting up this GoFundMe campaign. The financial burden on Cornellius and Phillip is overwhelming, and they are not in a position to cover the costs of the care and end-of-life celebrations that Cornellius so deserves.

 If you are able to contribute, whether it’s a donation or simply by sharing this campaign, it would mean the world to them and to me. I’ve only known Cornellius for a short time, but the impact he has had on our lives has been profound. 

I want to do everything I can to help ease some of the burdens they are facing during this devastating time. Thank you so much for your support, love, and kindness. 

 With heartfelt gratitude, Hollie