Support for Brett Kenny’s Stepson

Some of rugby league’s biggest names are helping former Parramatta great, Brett Kenny, in fundraising activities for his 16 year old stepson Riley.

A year 10 student at Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College Berkeley Vale Campus, Riley shattered his C5 vertebrae in a diving accident at Chittaway Bay in February. This was a freak accident but it could mean that Riley is facing the rest of his life in a wheelchair. He has a long and tough road ahead of him and so does Brett and his wife Suzanne.

Riley has been in the Westmead Children’s Hospital for some weeks and faces more time in this situation. Brett and Suzanne have moved into a unit near the Westmead Hospital and there is a lot of financial pressure on the couple. Already they have been helped financially and other ways by many people. These include the local Central Coast business people as well as the staff and students at Riley’s school.

At 7pm on 22 July at the Mingara Recreation Club, in Mingara Drive Tumbi Umbi, an entertaining celebrity sports night will be held to raise funds for Riley. 2GB’s Ray Hadley is the MC while Eric Grothe (8 Tests) and his band will provide the music. Many well known players including Ben Elias (6 Tests), Paul Sironen (23 Tests), Mark Carroll (12 Tests), Mick Cronin (33 Tests), Peter Wynn (3 Tests), Steve Ella (3 Tests) and Steve Edge (first ever State of Origin game for NSW 1980), will be there, as well as Brett (17 Tests), plus several other big name rugby league players and stars from other sports.

All guests will have the chance to mingle and talk with these sporting identities and Brett is hopeful of a large attendance. Rugby league people are always very supportive of worthy causes and this certainly is one such event.

The club is an hour or so drive from Sydney on the M1, so if you can, support Brett and his family on the night.

The Foundation have already been in touch with Brett and are assisting Riley and his family in their long road of recovery.

By Barry Ross