More than 400 people gathered on Saturday night at a fundraising concert for Wagga’s Gavin Hulm; a much-loved farmer and ballroom dance teacher who was recently diagnosed with renal cancer.
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While traditional surgery would have meant a 6-12 month recovery period, the money raised this weekend means Mr Hulm can now afford robotic surgery – a costly operation that will reduce his recovery time to just four weeks.
Mr Hulm said he was overwhelmed by the generosity of all who attended.
“It was unbelievable, I was blown away and absolutely gobsmacked, I think I cried about 20 million times – they ripped the the heartstrings out quite well,” he said.
“There were about 410 people there, the singers were just on point, and the dancers were just brilliant, even though it was 40 degrees.
“Always being on the stage, it was good to sit back and watch my friends go – I couldn’t stop cheering and tearing.”
Mr Hulm said the evening also went a long way in raising his spirits ahead of the operation.
“It’s hit me pretty hard over the last month or so with the anticipation of the surgery, but today I feel a bit more confident and a bit more ready – it reassures you to know that everybody is supporting you,” he said.
Mr Hulm will travel to Sydney for his robotic surgery on February 5.
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