Rugby League fans have joined forces to raise $3.5 million for the Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) across an entertaining and action-packed Beanie for Brain Cancer Round.
Strong crowds across the round ensured this year's fundraising efforts topped the $3 million mark for a fifth consecutive season and eclipsed the $3.1 million raised in 2024, with over 130,000 beanies sold.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said: "The Rugby League community has once again stepped up in the fight against brain cancer. The $3.5 million raised through beanie sales and donations is something we can all be proud of as a community.
"This is a time when fans put aside their rivalries and come together in a wonderful show of support for a very worthy cause. Congratulations to the Mark Hughes Foundation for the work they have done in leading fundraising and research into fighting brain cancer."
MHF Founder, Mark Hughes said: "To see and experience how much this round means to the rugby league community never ceases to amaze me. The reality of living with brain cancer and the devastating effects that it has on so many Australians is something that would be easy to find overcoming, but this is never the case for the rugby league community.
"Every beanie is a symbol of hope and we now have 3.5 million more reasons to tackle this insidious disease harder than before."
A 70-strong Big Three Trek contingent tackled the 150km walk from Rugby League Central in Sydney to Newcastle to raise over $335,000 across three days. Novocastrian Scott Hingston successfully ran from AAMI Park in Melbourne to Newcastle, completing an epic 1100km journey, running 24 marathons in 12 days to raise awareness and $116,000 for brain cancer research.
Sportsbet donated $60,000 after 60 tries were scored across Round 17 ($1000 per try).
