A Marton man with an aggressive brain tumour is $8,400 closer to receiving the treatment he needs, thanks to the support of his community.
A gala was held at the Memorial Hall on Saturday to raise money for Ryan Boerboom, whose brain cancer returned in January - for the third time.
With all other options failing, Mr Boerboom's only hope now is a non-funded medicine called Avastin. It will cost $50,000 for Mr Boerboom to receive the medication - which won't cure him, but will slow the tumour's growth.
"So we decided to hold a gala to raise some money, and the response has been amazing," Pam Boerboom, Mr Boerboom's mother, told the Wanganui Chronicle.
The Memorial Hall was packed with people enjoying a good, old-fashioned gala - merry-go-round, bouncy castle, train rides, barbecue, raffles, games and a cake stall.
"The cake stall was absolutely huge," Mrs Boerboom said. "We had so many people in Marton baking for us, it was amazing."
Mr Boerboom comes from a large family - he has three children of his own, has 10 siblings and 27 nieces and nephews - and many of his family members are doing their bit to help him.
Mrs Boerboom said there had been "so much support" from the community at large.
"We are very grateful."
As well as the gala, there have been private donations, a fundraising high tea held in Palmerston North, selling firewood, and a sale of goods through TradeMe. More than $20,000 has been raised through a Givealittle page.
"So far we're up to $38,000, and we're very confident we'll get to the $50,000," Mrs Boerboom said.
The Givealittle page can be found here.