Husband and wife Garry and Leanne Tilse both have cancer and fundraising started in earnest in December with Leonie Bowden selling teapots from the shelves of her Capitol Café before it was sold in December last year.

In 1987 Garry Tilse, 51, was diagnosed with testicular cancer and received radiotherapy therapy.

In October last year he was diagnosed with a large intrusive sarcoma in his right hip which doctors believe may be caused by the radiotherapy therapy.

Garry started trial chemotherapy treatment in November and was later sent to John Hunter Hospital for emergency surgery on a blocked bowel.

The surgery was successful, but Garry had several complications. He is still receiving treatment for the sarcoma.

In April this year his wife Leanne was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a right breast mastectomy.

The 45-year-old had two separate tumours which meant two different chemotherapy treatments that will last six months which she is currently receiving weekly.

Between both Garry and Leanne’s different treatments neither has been able to work.

Benefit day coordinator Jo Lyall said the money will go to the Tilse family to help them pay expenses such as travel and medical and everyday things like groceries and bills.

“The fundraiser to be held at Stroud Country Club will start at 1pm with the day ending with our major raffle draw and auction around 6pm,” Ms Lyall said.

“Entertainment will be provided by a duo throughout the day with a band belting out some old classics until late.

“There will be face painting, jumping castle and lots of fun for the kids as well as fun times and games for the adults.

“Testing the strength of husband and wife or male and female partnered teams will be a firewood splitting competition which should be a lot of fun.

“We have also had heaps of items donated for the raffle with one of the major ones being a Harley Davidson.

“It is an XL1200X 48-model to be auctioned but a reserve price applies.

“There is also a boxed signed 2011 limited edition South Sydney jersey, framed declaration of Steve Waugh’s cricketing career, a Knights 20th anniversary signed jersey and lots more.

“Remaining teapots will also be for sale on the day.”

For more information contact Josephine Lyall on 0447 635 732, Jasmin Pannowitz 0447 185 529 and Denise Hughes 0419 478 762.