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.