Mount Annan community raises $22k for Hermitage chef, 37, with brain cancer

A beloved father and chef at a popular Macarthur restaurant has been forced out of work after a brain tumour was found pressing on his pituitary gland and causing permanent vision loss.

The Macarthur is rallying around a beloved father after he permanently lost half his vision as the result of a brain tumour.

Andy Lay, well-known head chef at Campbelltown’s Hermitage Restaurant, went to an optometrist as he was having trouble with his vision earlier this year.

After being referred to see specialists and have a scan, the 37-year-old was told he had a tumour which had been pressing on his pituitary gland and causing the vision problems.

Andy Lay, head chef at Campbelltown's Hermitage Restaurant, was diagnosed with brain cancer. Pictured with his wife Charnee and daughters Didi (2) and Delilah (4).

Sarah Webb has worked with Mr Lay for six years and says he is a loving husband to his wife Charnee and father to his two daughters, Delilah, four and Didi, two.

“He’s so easygoing and good to work with, very understanding,” she told the Macarthur Chronicle.

“He has two beautiful young daughters and a wife and they’re all just coming to terms with the diagnosis.”

Mr Lay has permanently lost half his vision and will no longer be able to drive, which Ms Webb said will have a “big impact” on her friend’s life.

Andy Lay has lost half his vision as a result of the brain tumour.

“With Covid we haven’t been able to trade for a lot of this year and last year … then this happened,” she said.

“It’s been a bit of a rough trot.”

The chef underwent a $40,000 surgery on Thursday, where surgeons were able to successfully remove the entire tumour.

To help the family pay for surgery Ms Webb started a GoFundMe to help with living expenses and loss of income as Mr Lay recovers.

“I know it’s a challenging time for all of us but I know that the Lay family would be extremely grateful for any donations,” the fundraiser reads.

“I have seen firsthand Andy’s love for the people of this community and vice versa.”

In just seven days, up to 125 people have donated to the GoFundMe raising more than $22,000.

Ms Webb said she was “overwhelmed” by the community’s response to the GoFundMe.

“The family is going to be so relieved,” she said.