Busselton teen Baxter Hutchinson has raised more than $320,000 for the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation with the help of billionaire philanthropist Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest.
Appearing on breakfast show, Sunrise, on Friday morning, Baxter and his Mum, Caz, were brought to tears when host Mark Beretta surprised them with a $50,000 donation from Tour de Cure Australia.
The donation takes Baxter well over his total goal of $100,000.
Mr Forrest, who agreed to match Baxter’s fundraising dollar for dollar up to $100,000 and throw in another $100,000 if he reached it, appeared in a video message.
He urged Australians to get behind Baxter and donate, promising to continue to match the fundraising efforts dollar for dollar even now it had surpassed the $300,000 mark.
Baxter told the Mail he couldn’t describe what it felt like when he realised he had reached his goal.
“I was so shocked and amazed yet super happy to the point of tears,” he said.
“I expected it to be successful but this is unlike anything I could of imagined and I think the total sum of this fundraising event reflects the generosity of us, as not just a state, but a nation towards kids in need and our determination to eliminate this horrible disease.”
While he was confident of getting over the line of his challenge, the Tour de Cure donation came as a complete shock, but the generosity of Mr Forrest didn’t.
”I knew due to his pure generosity and good heart that he was always going to help this and back us all the way,” he said.
Baxter took the opportunity to thank everyone who supported the campaign, whether their donation was big or small.
“The support I received is the reason for me being able to doing what I’m doing,” he said.
“Everyone in the South West from my football club in Bunbury to my old primary school in Dunsborough, even my Mum’s work in Busselton. The entire lot of them have been awesome and I cannot thank anyone enough,” he said.
“I don’t think I could do or say anything that could repay everyone's efforts and support from the South West region.”
As for what is next for the 17-year-old, Baxter will continue his plans for university and hopes to get back to playing soccer.
However, this won’t be the last the campaign he does to raise awareness and fund for brain cancer.
“I said to Mum a few weeks back when this is all done and dusted I don’t want it to just be a memory, I want to stay involved and do something that can further help change the way we look at cancer and really try and make a difference,” he said.
“Whether that be in more fundraising or simply just visiting the kids in the hospital with cancer and sharing my experience with them.”