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Harris family calls for community support

harris community support
Mick Harris, whose family is calling for donations to support them after his recent melanoma diagnosis.

The Harris family has called on the community for support after their beloved husband, father and grandfather Mick, who was diagnosed with melanoma, passed away on Saturday, 8 January.

After presenting to hospital with vertigo and vomiting, initial thoughts were that Mick had a stroke, but further tests in Brisbane revealed he had melanoma.

The antibodies in his system were attacking his central nervous system and rapidly deteriorated, unable to walk, talk, eat or drink.

Mick and his wife Sheree moved to the region in 2016 after owning a fruit and vegetable shop in Laurieton, New South Wales.

They moved to Bucca, where Micks’ daughter Rachel said he spent time working at the Bucca pub and in the building trade.

“If anyone has been to the Bucca pub in the last five years, they would likely know Poppy from behind the bar,” she said.

Rachel set up a GoFund Me, asking the community for any support they could give to provide the family the opportunity to spend as long as possible in Brisbane with Mick.

Rachel said the funds raised through the GoFund Me account would go directly to her mum, Sheree, to help support her.

“The funds raised will be used to help with costs associated with his passing, and to help mum while she adjusts to one income,” Rachel said.

“I would love to see my mum not having to struggle too much financially, so she can focus on healing.

“The turnaround from diagnosis to now has been extremely quick, so the adjustment has been really hard for her and she had been at the hospital every day since he was admitted.”

Rachel said her dad had always had a love for music.

“My dad lived a wild life, being in many bands throughout the years and has been well known in his local communities his whole life,” she said.

“He introduced me to live music at a young age, as we would often go and watch him perform.

“He loved his music and surfing, and this is how I plan to remember him.”

Mick is a much loved grandfather to eight grandchildren and seven step grandchildren, with nothing bringing him more joy than spending time with them.

“Nothing gave my Dad more joy than his grandkids,” she said.

“He loved them all and because he is such a kid at heart, they all love their Poppy.”

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