Wingham’s Little Red Cafe, Mid-North Coast to close doors after owner Barry Cunningham’s terminal cancer diagnosis

A much-loved Mid-North Coast cafe is sadly shutting its doors after its owner received a shock terminal cancer diagnosis. The community is now banding together to help.

Little Red Cafe in Wingham on the Mid-North Coast is shutting its doors after its owner Barry Cunningham has received a terminal cancer diagnosis. Picture: Supplied.

A much-loved Mid-North Coast cafe is sadly shutting its doors after its owner received a shock terminal cancer diagnosis.

The Wingham community has rallied around Barry Cunningham, owner of the Little Red Cafe in the Wingham Plaza, after he was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer earlier this year.

The progression of Mr Cunningham’s illness has forced him to close the cafe as the side effects of chemotherapy treatment make it “impossible” for him to continue on.

Little Red Cafe is popular with Wingham locals, with Mr Cunningham having worked as a chef at various restaurants in the area. Picture: Supplied.

A well-known chef in the area who has worked at several establishments, Mr Cunningham “worked hard for years to build his business,” friends say.

On a GoFundMe fundraiser for Mr Cunningham, those closest to the chef wrote he had

“carried on for months after his initial diagnosis”, showing dedication to the business which “never wavered”.

“All funds generated will go directly to Barry, to cover his medical expenses for his cancer treatments, his day to day living costs with no income, and to assist with the closure of his business,” the fundraiser reads.

The cafe is located in the Wingham plaza on the state’s Mid-North Coast. Picture: Supplied.

“Barry began his cancer treatment in early July undergoing a week of radiotherapy. He made the two-hour round trip every day to the hospital for this treatment.

“Barry has now commenced chemotherapy treatment. His terminal cancer diagnosis has profoundly impacted him.

“My wish is for Barry to cherish every moment he has with us and for us to ensure his comfort throughout this journey.”

Mr Cunningham’s partner and cafe co-owner, David, is now his full-time caregiver.

Mr Cunningham, who is from Northern Ireland, moved to Australia in 1998.

Former colleague and owner of Bent On Food cafe in Wingham Donna Carrier said Mr Cunningham exuded classic “Irish humour”, a joking nature and was known to have cooked “beautiful meals for many locals in various establishments in the Wingham area”.

“I know Barry has touched many hearts in our community, including mine. He is a friend to many,” she said.

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