‘Always smiling always laughing’: Chinchilla man to run a cricket fundraiser one year on from Wanda-Jade DeGuara’s passing

Former commercial hotel manager Murray Bradley, who walked from Wandoan to Chinchilla last year in memory of Wanda-Jade DeGuara, says he is now planning to run a cricket fundraiser in an effort to raise money for a mental health charity.

Wanda-Jade DeGuara and Murray Bradley at the Commercial Hotel. Photo: Contributed.

A Western Downs man who walked from Wandoan to Chinchilla in memory of a beloved local who took her own life is planning a new fundraiser for later this year.

Following the tragic passing of Chinchilla’s Wanda-Jade DeGuara in May 2024 her former boss and friend Murray Bradley walked 114km over four days raising $8000 and spreading awareness for mental health.

Mr Bradley said he planned to continue to keep Wanda’s memory alive through another fundraising effort.

“I’m in the planning stages at the moment, I won't be doing the walk this year because I’ve had a few health issues but it is still called the Walk For Wanda because it is the same cause and hopefully next year I’ll be up for it again,” he said.

“This year I am organising a celebrity cricket match in late September, early October. I am wanting to draw a crowd to the area, have a nice day out and get some music going.

“I’ve been in discussion with someone who organises sports dinners so we will organise a dinner as well in the next couple of months to go towards the fundraiser.

“At the end of last year’s event we had a function at the Commercial Hotel with a barbecue and raffles and we ended up raising just under $8000.”

A fundraiser was run for Chinchilla woman Wanda-Jade DeGuara after her tragic death last year.

Mr Bradley said he hoped to continue to see the fundraiser grow in scale every year.

“Last year we split the money up between a trust fund set up for Wanda’s two children and the Smita Foundation, a mental health organisation I have a bit to do with,” he said.

“I will continue to support the Smita Foundation with this year’s fundraiser and eventually what I want to do is make it big enough that we can help other families in the same situation to set up trust funds for kids who have been left behind.”

Mr Bradley said mental health was an issue that touched everyone and encouraged people to not be afraid to seek help.

“The focus was brought about when Wanda passed but I think everybody has been through some struggles, I have lost family members to suicide myself, every second person you talk to has been through the same thing,” he said.

“This is for Wanda and that’s who we named it after, but it is important that we recognise everybody’s struggles and encourage people to reach out for help.”

Mr Bradley said he was currently selling Walk For Wanda T-shirts and stubbies as well as running a number board with a grand prize of $2000.

He also said he was looking for sponsorships, donations, memorabilia pieces and raffle prizes and encouraged people to reach out to him via his Facebook page.