Melbourne Storm, Origin star Christian Welch explains special friendship with Toowoomba region boy with disability Angus Hopkins

Three years after being pulled around in a wheelbarrow while waiting for the NDIS to fund his chair, a Toowoomba region boy with cerebral palsy has evolved into a cheeky young man. Best of all, he is now best friends with an NRL superstar.

Angus Hopkins has spent his life defying the doctors and bureaucrats to become a thriving happy boy — and he now has a very special friend in his corner.

The Nobby 12-year-old with cerebral palsy became known as the “Boy in the Barrow” in 2019 following a highly-publicised battle with the National Disability Insurance Scheme for a motorised wheelchair that he required.

Little did he and his mother Jody Ezzy realise but The Chronicle’s campaign would draw the attention of Melbourne Storm and Queensland prop Christian Welch.

“I was on Twitter and I saw this story about a young Queenslander whose mum was getting him around in a wheelbarrow because he was waiting for the NDIS funding for a motorised wheelchair,” Welch said.

Angus Hopkins was invited to Melbourne Storm's training session ahead of Magic Round by forward Christian Welch.

“I just found it really tough, so I reached out, we made contact and it was one of the first NRL Magic Rounds and I wanted to give Gus a positive experience.

“We got them in a top hotel for the night and the NRL gave them some tickets for Magic Round.

“At the (Storm’s) captain’s run we got him to meet all the boys and a signed jersey.”

That weekend has sparked a beautiful friendship between Angus’ family and Welch, who is routinely considered one of the nicest players in the NRL.

Ms Ezzy said Welch keeps in constant contact with the family, offering words of encouragement and checking up on Angus’ progress.

There was even talk of the six-time Origin player coming up to their property to learn horseriding before Welch ruptured his achilles against the Tigers in Round 1.

“He is such a nice bloke,” she said.

“He was supposed to come up and learn how to ride (but) he can’t learn to ride a horse with a snapped achilles.”

Angus himself says having Welch in his corner is “inspiring”, but it’s the hard-hitting forward who is in awe of his young friend.

“I don’t know if Gus is a huge rugby league fan, but it’s been the start of a good friendship,” Welch said.

“I keep getting bloody injured but I need to get out there and see Gus and he’s promised me he’ll teach me some horse riding — I stay in touch with Jody and their lovely family.

“I just think his positivity is infectious — he’s always smiling and laughing, every time we’ve caught up, it would be fine for him to be kicking stones, but he is just positive about everything in life.

“He’s a bundle of joy and he’s a pleasure to be around.”

Angus Hopkins is taking part in the World’s Greatest. Pictured with his mother Jody Ezzy. Picture: Nev Madsen.

ANGUS RAISES BIG FUNDS FOR SHAVE FOR A CURE

Young Angus Hopkins will lose his long locks of hair this week, raising big bucks for people battling leukaemia.

The Nobby boy with cerebral palsy will take part in the World’s Greatest Shave on Friday, having already raised $1100 from family and friends.

Angus already has one big-name donor, with Melbourne Storm prop Christian Welch donating $250.

His mother Jody Ezzy said while she’s thrilled Angus is making a difference, she’ll be happy to see the back of his mop of hair.

“It grows really quickly, it’s been driving me nuts and his schoolteachers can’t wait for him to have it cut,” she said.

“I went to cut it (18 months ago) and he told me no, he wanted to do World’s Greatest Shave.”

Having already passed his original goal of $1000, Angus has a bigger target in mind.

“$1000 we passed on Tuesday last week — now, $2000 is the goal,” the cheeky 12-year-old said.

Angus’ shave will be held at the Nobby general store on Friday from 5pm.

To donate to his campaign, head to the World’s Greatest Shave website.

Originally published as Melbourne Storm, Origin star Christian Welch explains special friendship with Toowoomba region boy with disability Angus Hopkins