Our Famous Magic Ball

Prepare to be captivated by Miami Nights at the 2025 MHF Magic Ball

Join us on 16 August at NEX, Newcastle for an electrifying evening featuring premium food & wine, world class entertainment, and exclusive auction prizes. This is one of the most anticipated events on the Hunter’s calendar, all in support of the Mark Hughes Foundation. Tickets are $235 each or $2300 for a table of 10. Mark your calendars NOW!! Tickets go on sale at 10am Tuesday, 6 May 2025. See you under the neon lights.

Thank you to our major sponsors – Avery, AHA Newcastle & Hunter and The MacDougall Foundation. We look forward to an unforgettable evening, all dedicated to supporting MHF patients and their families while driving crucial research into brain cancer. 

Mark HUghes Foundation

BEATING BRAIN CANCER IS WITHIN OUR POWER

Our News

Keep up to date with latest news by MHF

Stay up to date with all the latest news by Mark Hughes Foundation. 

December 4, 2025

MHF Centre Christmas Lunch

What a wonderful way to start wrapping up the year that was On Monday, we gathered at NUspace for our annual End
November 12, 2025

WEHI Brain Cancer Centre Visit

Our MHF Centre is committed to forging deep and powerful research collaborations to improve brain cancer outcomes for patients and their loved
November 6, 2025

MHF KOKODA DOUBLE CROSSING CONQUERED

What an extraordinary journey our Mark Hughes Foundation trekkers have just completed — 12 gruelling days in the jungle, covering over 300
October 31, 2025

Dan’s Big Shave Raises Over $100,000

Federal MP for the Hunter Dan Repacholi is known for two things – his towering height and his very impressive beard. So

KOKODA BACK to BACK Challenge

Less than 1% of Australians have conquered the legendary Kokoda Track—and even fewer have taken on the ultimate test: a double crossing. This October, Mark Hughes, MHF Ambassador Danny Buderus, and a team of 20 trekkers will embark on an epic 192km journey across the treacherous Kokoda Track—not once, but twice in just 12 days.
 
The courageous team of trekkers will face the ultimate test of endurance on the Kokoda Track, tackling a punishing double crossing over 12 days. From Owers Corner to Kokoda and back, the challenge will see them navigate relentless climbs, steep descents, and dense jungle. They will ascend Mt. Bellamy, cross Ua Ule Creek 22 times, and battle the brutal Brigade Hill climb.
 
Paying tribute to Australian soldiers who fought on these historic grounds, the team will hold commemorative services at key battlegrounds. After days of physical and mental trials, the journey will end at the Bomana War Cemetery, where they will reflect on their incredible achievement and the enduring legacy of Kokoda.

Our Stories

EVERY ONE OF THE 2000 BRAIN CANCER PATIENTS DIAGNOSED EACH YEAR and those connected to our cause have a STORY

Some are difficult to read, some hard to even imagine, some are uplifting and some tragic – but every one of them is inspiring.

Linda’s Story

Linda has had a multifaceted career since graduating with a degree in business from Waikato University. She is an award-winning health

Noah’s Story

Beautiful Noah Kelly sadly passed away in April 2025, just after the Easter holiday long weekend. From 16 months old, he

Zach Morrissey – Forever 26

Zach Morrissey was just 21 when brain cancer cruelly interrupted his life. He radiated kindness, humour, generosity, and ambition. A brilliant

Doron’s Story

Life can change in an instant, and for Doron, what began as an exciting overseas adventure soon turned into an unexpected

Mark Hughes Foundation Beanie for Brain Cancer

When my wife Kirralee and I set up the Mark Hughes Foundation we wanted to make a difference, and make a difference fast! When you live with brain cancer you really appreciate how precious time is. We have to make every minute count. We wanted to raise money for research – FAST. Kiz suggested we sell beanies as a lot of brain cancer patients wear beanies to cover scars, bandages, loss of hair and just to keep warm. Thus “Beanie for Brain Cancer” was born in 2014.

MHF Major Events

Beating brain cancer will take the power of your support.

Community fundraising helps us raise vital funds to support brain cancer patients, raise awareness about brain cancer and raise funds for research to find a cure. We have now made it even easier for you to support us.

NRL Beanie Round

NRL Beanie Round

One of the highlights on the National Rugby League calendar is the annual NRL Beanie for Brain Cancer Round, which invites the wider rugby league community to join the Mark Hughes Foundation on their quest to tackle brain cancer.

Read More

MHF Magic Ball

MHF Magic Ball

Our MHF Magic Ball is one of the most sought after tickets in town, and has grown into one of the most anticipated Black tie gala events in the Hunter region annually. Featuring premium cuisine and wines, high calibre entertainment, captivating themes, celebrity MCs, and prestigious auction items, it promises an unforgettable evening, all dedicated to supporting MHF patients and their families.

Read More

Adventure Treks

Adventure Treks

During the early afternoon hours of Christmas Day in 2015 one of Marks great mates, Billy Peden, decided he wanted to make a difference! He called Paul ‘Chief’ Harragon that afternoon and the MHF Adventure Treks were born. At the time, neither of them would have realised that this was the start of what would become an annual life changing event raising millions of dollars for the Mark Hughes Foundation. Since 2016, there have been eight adventure treks all around the world raising over $4.3 million so far to support brain cancer patients and their families.

Read More

Beanie For Brain Cancer

Beanie For Brain Cancer

When my wife Kirralee and I set up the Mark Hughes Foundation we wanted to make a difference, and make a difference fast! When you live with brain cancer you really appreciate how precious time is. We have to make every minute count. We wanted to raise money for research – FAST. Kiz suggested we sell beanies as a lot of brain cancer patients wear beanies to cover scars, bandages, loss of hair and just to keep warm. Thus "Beanie for Brain Cancer" was born in 2014.

Read More

MHF Major Events

Beating brain cancer will take the power of your support.

Community fundraising helps us raise vital funds to support brain cancer patients, raise awareness about brain cancer and raise funds for research to find a cure. We have now made it even easier for you to support us.

Beanie For Brain Cancer

Beanie For Brain Cancer

When my wife Kirralee and I set up the Mark Hughes Foundation we wanted to make a difference, and make a difference fast! When you live with brain cancer you really appreciate how precious time is. We have to make every minute count. We wanted to raise money for research – FAST. Kiz suggested we sell beanies as a lot of brain cancer patients wear beanies to cover scars, bandages, loss of hair and just to keep warm. Thus "Beanie for Brain Cancer" was born in 2014.

Read More

Adventure Treks

Adventure Treks

During the early afternoon hours of Christmas Day in 2015 one of Marks great mates, Billy Peden, decided he wanted to make a difference! He called Paul ‘Chief’ Harragon that afternoon and the MHF Adventure Treks were born. At the time, neither of them would have realised that this was the start of what would become an annual life changing event raising millions of dollars for the Mark Hughes Foundation. Since 2016, there have been eight adventure treks all around the world raising over $4.3 million so far to support brain cancer patients and their families.

Read More

MHF Magic Ball

MHF Magic Ball

Our MHF Magic Ball is one of the most sought after tickets in town, and has grown into one of the most anticipated Black tie gala events in the Hunter region annually. Featuring premium cuisine and wines, high calibre entertainment, captivating themes, celebrity MCs, and prestigious auction items, it promises an unforgettable evening, all dedicated to supporting MHF patients and their families.

Read More

NRL Beanie Round

NRL Beanie Round

One of the highlights on the National Rugby League calendar is the annual NRL Beanie for Brain Cancer Round, which invites the wider rugby league community to join the Mark Hughes Foundation on their quest to tackle brain cancer.

Read More

BEATING BRAIN Cancer will take the power of research

We believe that with the power of research, innovation, compassion and collaboration, together, we can beat brain cancer.

MHF Centre for Brain Cancer Research

The Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research is a multi-disciplinary, collaborative research centre which brings together scientists and clinicians, consumers and patient care professionals and builds on the University of Newcastle’s established and dynamic cancer research ecosystem and world-class technology, spaces and infrastructure.

Through collaboration and partnership with our community and like-minded national and international organisations, the Centre will drive world-leading research programs to improve the lives of people with brain cancer today and increase survival rates in the future.

We are taking action and bringing together the best experts in the field to advance brain cancer research to achieve the greatest impact for brain tumour patients.

MHF Centre for Brain Cancer Research

The Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research is a multi-disciplinary, collaborative research centre which brings together scientists and clinicians, consumers and patient care professionals and builds on the University of Newcastle’s established and dynamic cancer research ecosystem and world-class technology, spaces and infrastructure.

Through collaboration and partnership with our community and like-minded national and international organisations, the Centre will drive world-leading research programs to improve the lives of people with brain cancer today and increase survival rates in the future.

We are taking action and bringing together the best experts in the field to advance brain cancer research to achieve the greatest impact for brain tumour patients.

Our Events

Find an event to attend near you

Stay up to date with all the latest events by Mark Hughes Foundation. 

Sunday |  1 Febuary

Cole Classic

For more than four decades, the Cole Classic has been a cornerstone event at the iconic Manly Beach.

Neurospicy Art

100% of the profits from the ‘Neurospicy Art’ collection will support brain cancer research in Australia.

Grip Star Sock x MHF

Step Up for a Cause! | Grip Star Socks  x Mark Hughes Foundation Crew Socks
Saturday |  January 31

SUN RUN 2026

For all runners, walkers, joggers, and “I’ll just do it for fun”!!

Donate today & help beat brain cancer

Brain cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in children, and adults aged under 40 in Australia, yet alarmingly very little is known about brain cancer, its causes or how it is treated.

That’s why we need your help. Every dollar helps in the fight against brain cancer. Your donation will go towards vital research to improve patient treatments and, hopefully, find a cure one day.

All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.

Donate today, help beat brain cancer

Brain cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in children, and adults aged under 40 in Australia, yet alarmingly very little is known about brain cancer, its causes or how it is treated.

That’s why we need your help. Every dollar helps in the fight against brain cancer. Your donation will go towards vital research to improve patient treatments and, hopefully, find a cure one day.

All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.

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