Drawing inspiration for cause

Twelve-year-old Dillon Tillemans and Professionals staff Carol de Farias (left) and Kylee Douglas are teaming up to raise money for the Child Cancer Foundation at an auction on Friday. Photo/Stephen Parker

Dillon Tillemans, 12, is hoping his drawing of a trout will reel in the big bucks for the Child Cancer Foundation.

For the past three years Dillon has suffered from leukemia but yesterday received what he hopes will be his last treatment at Rotorua Hospital.

His drawing will be one of 14 artworks made by Rotorua children living with cancer to go under the hammer at the Professionals McDowell Real Estate's Child Cancer Charity Breakfast and Art Auction, which aims to raise money for the Child Cancer Foundation.

Dillon said he hoped his drawing would raise "lots of money" so he could do his bit to help other kids who have to go through what he has.

He decided to draw a trout because he and his family loved to go fishing, he said.

Dillon was also a keen rugby fan and hoped he might get his hands on a T-shirt signed by a Super Rugby team that will also be up for sale at the auction.

Dillon's mother Vanessa Tillemans said her son's illness had been hard for the family to deal with, but the Child Cancer Foundations had done everything possible to make it easier for them.

"They have honestly been so amazing, the support they have given us has been unbelievable.

"A lot of the time it's the little things that they do, like giving you free coffee vouchers when you've been at the hospital all night. It's a really worthy cause," she said.

Professionals operations manager Kylee Douglas, who is organising the auction, said it was hoped to raise about $20,000.

"I think it's amazing to be able to help such a worthwhile cause. It's good for the kids too, the smiles on their faces when they see how much money their pictures have made is priceless." The art auction and breakfast will be between 7-8.30am on Friday at the Distinction Rotorua.

Tickets are $30 and available from The Professionals or by phoning Kellie on (07) 348 4159.