Ryan Knight

Hi All, the below update is from Mark, To everyone who has donated to or supported my GoFundMe, I want to say a heartfelt thank you. More than 370 people have given what they could to support me and my family through an incredibly difficult time. Every donation, whatever its size, means so much. I know each one came from someone choosing to help, and I will never take that generosity for granted. Thank you, too, to everyone who shared the page, sent a message, checked in or kept us in your thoughts. Your kindness has reached us in ways that go far beyond the money raised. It has reminded us that we’re surrounded by people who care, and that has been a real source of strength as I face surgery (that bit is now done and they got 98% of it) and the radiation and chemotherapy and the long recovery ahead. Which for those playing along at home, looks likely to commence in Wagga Wagga this month, so we're going to face that head on and see how it goes. I can’t put into words how grateful I am to every one of you. Please know that your support has made a genuine difference to me and my family. We’ll carry that kindness with us for a long time. With all my love and gratitude, Mark Grentell

We are already up and running. But as Trumpy says, vote early and vote often. So in this case share it, donate again, do what ever you can. Mark messaged me this morning. “Thanks man. That means so much to me. I don’t have the words right now…damn brain tumor stole them…but know that it means a lot.”

We’re family and close friends of Mark Grentell, and we’ve created this fundraiser because so many people have been asking how they can help. Let’s Get Behind Mark and his family. ❤️ As many of you know, our wonderful Mark recently underwent brain surgery to remove a significant tumour. We all knew there was something not quite right up there… turns out we were onto something. Since then, Mark and his family have received the news none of us wanted to hear. Mark has been diagnosed with glioblastoma (GBM), an aggressive form of brain cancer, and he now faces a significant course of treatment in the months ahead. Mark and his family are deeply loved by so many — across Clovelly, Bronte, Wagga Wagga, the wider Riverina and beyond — and by a huge circle of friends, family and people whose lives Mark has impacted along the way. For those who might know Mark more through his work, creativity has always been a huge part of his life. He co-wrote and directed Backyard Ashes, directed The Merger, and has spent years working across film, theatre and production. He is an owner of Spectre VR and Fenix Production Studio and, before his years in Sydney, was a familiar face in Wagga’s performing arts community — from The Boys Show to countless stage productions and creative collaborations, including many with Peter Cox. After years away, Mark and his family recently returned home to Wagga. But those achievements aren’t really why we’re here. To the people who know him best, Mark is our excruciatingly funny creative genius, a wonderful dad, an inspiring husband, a great mate and someone who has given an enormous amount to the people around him — usually accompanied by a completely inappropriate joke at exactly the wrong moment. We are incredibly thankful to the many people who have already rallied around Mark and his family with meals, messages, offers of help and an extraordinary amount of love and support. With Mark’s diagnosis now confirmed, the road ahead has become clearer — but also more challenging. Treatment, recovery, appointments and simply keeping family life moving will place enormous demands on Mark and his family over the coming months. And one thing has also become very clear: an enormous number of people want to do something to help. So, we’ve created this fund as a practical way for the incredible community surrounding Mark and his family to get behind them. Funds raised will give the family some much-needed breathing room — helping with the everyday costs that don’t stop during treatment, providing flexibility as they navigate what lies ahead, and taking away some of the financial pressure so their energy can be spent where it matters most: on Mark’s treatment, their family and the road ahead. There is absolutely no expectation to contribute. But for all of you who have been asking how you can help — here’s your chance. Whether it’s through a contribution, sharing this page, dropping off a meal, sending a message or simply keeping Mark and his family in your thoughts, it all matters. Let’s get behind Mark and his family and show them just how many people are standing beside them. ❤️