Benefit night for Ray Blacklock as former league star faces health crisis
Ray Blacklock was given 16 months to live but the rugby league world has mobilised to help him out, organising a benefit on Saturday.
It took 48 hours after former rugby league star Ray Blacklock was given 16 months to live for the world to jump into action, according to Penrith Panthers chief executive Warren Wilson.
Having grown up two streets away from each other in North St Marys, Wilson and Blacklock played for the same rugby league club as youngsters.
“Ray is four years older than me, he was one of my idols,” Wilson said.
“He is a terrific fella, excellent footballer and a brilliant athlete.
“He captained our (Penrith) under-23s team to their first-ever win, went on to first grade, and then moved to Newtown and Canberra.”
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A star of the 1970s and 80s, Blacklock, 60, is battling two major medical issues.
He has three bones protruding into his spinal cord and needs an operation and has also been diagnosed with Multi System Atrophy C — a rare neurological disorder that shares many symptoms with Parkinson's disease. It is incurable.
“It’s one of those tragic things but as Australians do when mates are doing it tough, we help out,” Wilson said.
“We got the absolute bad news a few weeks ago when he went to the specialist, but within 48 hours people were mobilising and saying we better do something to help him out.”
Former Panther Lou Zivanovic and the Men of League Foundation have organised a benefit night for Blacklock at Panthers called One Night For a Mate.
“We are up to about 550 seats sold,” Wilson said.
“We just want to make sure that he gets the best medical help, the best care and has some financial stability while he’s facing all these tough issues.”
Blacklock lives in a unit supplied by the Panthers ex-players association and told The Daily Telegraph he was amazed by the support.
“I am just happy now because people still care. I am only just starting to realise that. Lou (Zivanovic) told me but I didn’t believe it. But I am starting to believe it now,” Blacklock said.
To which Wilson replied: “You silly bugger, of course we remember him and of course they want to help out and look after him.
“I don’t want to put words in his mouth but I know he is very appreciative and very humbled by the whole thing and how everyone is helping him. But that’s what we do.”
■Buy your tickets for the benefit night on Saturday, May 23, at the Penrith Panthers Pavillion on 87652232 or events@menofleague.com
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