Fundraiser launched for 'much-loved' Whitsundays man facing his toughest battle yet

The community has launched an urgent fundraising campaign for a much-loved local facing cancer treatment and mounting bills.

Airlie Beach resident Warren Mills is known to many thanks to his years working at a local bottle shop, but many didn’t know he was quietly fighting his hardest battle yet after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

A fundraising campaign has been launched to support a much-loved Whitsundays man who is facing his second cancer battle.

Airlie Beach resident Warren Mills is known to many thanks to his years working at a local bottle shop and he has deep roots in the local community, but many didn’t know he was quietly fighting his hardest battle yet.

Warren’s friend Danielle Flood said from the moment they met, he showed her nothing but kindness which was something all of those around him had the joy of experiencing.

“He just has lots of ties to the local community and everyone loves him,” she said.

Ms Flood said Mr Mills had previously fought and beaten leukaemia nine years ago but was now facing a new challenge after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Warren Mills has no immediate family, making community support even more meaningful.

She said delays in regional healthcare had made his journey even harder.

“He’s been stuffed around every appointment. He’d have to wait a month for this or two months for that,” Ms Flood said.

Mr Mill’s illness has left him unable to work, putting more strain on him in an already difficult situation.

“It is sort of sucky because he has to take time off for his treatment,” she said.

One of Warren’s friends said from the moment they met he showed her nothing but kindness, which was something all of those around him had the joy of experiencing.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover bills, travel for treatment, and everyday expenses.

“If just 100 strangers give him five bucks that’s what I’d love to see… just people thinking I’ll chuck in five or ten bucks,” Ms Flood said.

Known affectionately as “Millsie”, the beloved local has built a reputation for his warmth and kindness.

“He’s just so community minded,” Ms Flood said.

“People have DMed me saying, ‘I don’t know if you’d remember me, but he gave me a cuddle when I was feeling down one day at the shop’.

“He’s known for his cuddles and his joking and his smiles.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover bills, travel for treatment and everyday expenses.

Ms Flood said he had no immediate family, making community support even more meaningful.

“It’s just him and the world,” she said.

“It would be great if, as a community, we could all rally behind him.”

She said the messages and donations so far have already helped improve his outlook.

“It’s also just the encouragement that it gives him. I can tell it’s really lifted his spirits that he’s getting all these messages,” she said.

“It’s almost as important as the money.”