COOKIES 4 CANCER

I’m doing it for paul graham

COOKIES4CANCER ❤️

In loving memory of our Pop, Paul Graham

This is more than a fundraiser. This is our way of keeping Pop’s memory alive.

On 29 December 1955, a very special man was born.

His name was Paul Graham.

To some people, he was Paul.
To others, he was a husband, father, stepfather, brother, uncle or friend.

But to us, he was Pop.

He was a man who loved his family, loved to travel, loved making memories and, most importantly, loved the people around him.

Pop built a family and a life filled with memories that we will carry with us forever.

But in the end, cancer tried to take all of that away.

And that is why we are fighting back.

❤️ POP’S LIFE

Pop lived a life that was about the people around him.

He wasn’t perfect, and he certainly wasn’t always serious — anyone who knew him would probably tell you that.

He had his cheeky side, his sense of humour and his own way of doing things.

But underneath it all was a man who cared deeply about his family.

He became a husband, a stepfather, a grandfather and a Pop.

And for the grandchildren who grew up with him, there was never a question about whether he was their grandfather.

He simply was.

Pop was always there.

He loved them, supported them and created memories that they will carry for the rest of their lives.

❤️ FAMILY STORIES, EULOGIES AND OUR MESSAGES TO THE MAN WE ALL LOVED

❤️ NANNA & POP’S STORY

The beginning — Ballarat

Nanna first met Pop in Ballarat, after being introduced through Robert’s sister, Aunty K.

And it certainly wasn’t love at first sight.

Nanna remembers:

“I couldn’t stand him. I thought he was a smart arse.”

Pop, of course, had his own way of winning her over — calling her “Aunty Breasts.”

Even Stephanie, Pop’s youngest stepdaughter, apparently wasn’t impressed.

“I don’t like him.”

It wasn’t exactly the beginning of a fairytale.

But somehow, it became one.

❤️

The first date

Eventually, Nanna started to like Pop — although she still thought he was a smart arse.

Their first date wasn’t exactly the romantic dinner you might imagine.

Aunty K, her husband, Aunty Tash, Jordan, Marie and Dave all went along to the cattle yard for tea.

And before they left Aunty K’s house, Jordan asked Pop:

“Do you think you could lend me $50?” 😂

Nanna remembers being embarrassed.

But those little moments became part of the story.

🏠

Becoming a family

Every time Nanna went to Aunty K’s, Pop knew she was there.

Eventually, he told her he wanted to get to know her better.

Their relationship grew.

Stephanie was only 9 years old, Natasha was 23 and Jordan was 19 and when Nanna and Pop’s lives came together, they eventually moved in with Pop at his unit.

Nanna told Stephanie:

“You don’t have to love him, but you need to respect him.”

And over time, something beautiful happened.

Stephanie didn’t just respect Pop.

She grew to love him.

🚐

The adventures

Pop loved to travel.

Nanna and Pop bought a caravan and a Colorado, and it didn’t matter where they went or when they went.

As long as they were together, that was all that mattered.

One of their biggest adventures was driving from Maryborough to Alice Springs, then across to Perth, and all the way back home — simply because Pop wanted to.

That was Pop.

He wanted to go.

He wanted to see things.

He wanted to make memories.

And Nanna was right there beside him.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

A family built on love

Nanna’s three grandchildren only ever knew Pop as their grandfather.

He was always there.

He loved them.

And he became a grandfather not because of biology, but because of the love he gave them.

He chose to be their Pop.

And they chose to love him right back.

💔 WHEN CANCER CHANGED EVERYTHING

Then came the part of Pop’s story that none of us wanted.

Cancer.

Pop was diagnosed with throat cancer.

What followed was a battle that tested him and everyone who loved him.

But Pop fought.

He fought so hard to stay with us for as long as he possibly could.

Nanna remembers how difficult it was to see him come home with the cage from his radiation treatment.

It was heartbreaking to see what cancer was doing to the man we knew.

But he kept going.

He kept fighting.

He fought through the pain.

He fought through the fear.

And he fought because he wanted more time with his family.

Eventually, the cancer spread throughout his body.

But even then, Pop fought to the bitter end.

🕊️ HIS FINAL DAYS

In Pop’s final days, he opened up to his eldest stepdaughter, Natasha Bennett, and told her how scared he was to die.

For someone who had spent so much of his life being strong, hearing those words was heartbreaking.

Cancer wasn’t just something happening to his body.

It was something our whole family was forced to face.

After five long heartbreaking years he never gave up once.

And eventually, at 70 years old, Pop sadly lost his battle.

But cancer didn’t erase the man he was.

It didn’t erase his life.

It didn’t erase his love.

And it certainly didn’t erase the memories he gave us.

❤️ LIAM’S STORY

Instead of writing a story, I thought I’d write a message filled with stories and memories of what I wish I could tell you.

For Poppy

I’ve been lost without you, and I can’t even bring myself to think about watching the Bathurst 1000 this year without you. You were always the one I would call or watch it with, and we would always talk about it afterwards. It’s one of my most cherished and fondest memories of you and our relationship.

One of the things that brought us so close was that we were both die-hard Holden fans. I remember telling you when I bought my first car, a VX Commodore, and you were so chuffed. We were also crushed when Holden raced in its last Bathurst 1000. I can’t say I wasn’t disappointed when you bought a Ford, but I learnt to forgive you — because that’s what family does. 😂

I’m so happy for the time I got to spend with you and for the memories I will hold onto forever. There was so much I wish I could still do with you, like having a drink together now that I’ve turned 18. My only request for my birthday was to have a shot of Johnnie Walker for you, since it was your favourite drink and don’t worry, I got the good stuff, I promise.

I regret not telling you every day how much you truly meant to me and how much I love you now that you’re gone. But I know, somehow, someway, that my words will get to you.

Watching you go through five horrible years of cancer makes me so sad. Sometimes, I couldn’t even bear to watch what you were going through, and I wish there was more I could have done while you were still here.

But I’m doing something now, and I’m not going to stop with just this fundraiser. I’m going to keep going until I’ve beaten cancer, just like I watched you fight it so many times.

I am so proud to be able to call you my Pop and to be your grandson. I’m going to fight until my last breath, just like I watched you do. I know I’ll be scared when my time on this earth comes, but I also know I’ll be able to see you again one day.

I’m glad I can still make you proud, even though you’re not here.

I love you, Pop. I hope you know that.

From your grandson, Liam. ❤️

that is why I’m shaving my head to donate for other people going through the same thing. 🥹

❤️ NIKKI’S STORY

Nikki’s story

This section will share Nikki’s memories of her father when she can.

“…”

❤️ BAILEY’S STORY

Bailey’s story

This section will share Bailey’s memories of his father when he can.

❤️ STEPH’S STORY

For Paul — Our Dearest Stepfather and Poppy

Paul, our dearest stepfather and Poppy,

You came into our family when my mother and her children needed a strong and dependable man more than ever.

But what we got from you in return honestly has no words.

It was an honour to have you as part of our lives, old fella, and we are all so grateful for every second of time and every memory we spent with you.

As your stepdaughter in my early youth, we sure did give each other a run for our money — that much I remember! 😂

But little did I ever imagine how much that would grow into so much love and respect for each other.

You were not always one for a lot of words, but when you held us, it showed.

And we all felt your love so very strongly.

I have a million memories of so many good family bonding trips, adventures and times together, and those memories can never be taken away.

I remember our last conversation.

I told you how thankful my children and I have been for your love and for everything you had done for us all.

We shared a cry over the phone and told each other how much we loved each other.

I will hold that conversation close to my heart forever. ❤️

It really is true that sometimes the good ones leave us far too soon.

I now reach out to all those families and people suffering through cancer and ask that, if you can, please give.

Every single person suffering through cancer needs support and a helping hand.

So please be kind, loving and caring towards your family and friends during these times.

Every little bit helps.

We all miss you and always will.

Love, your daughter, Stephanie. ❤️

So until I see you both one day, all my love. ❤️

❤️LILY’S STORY 

(My little sister liam and Stephs daughter)

I would always go over there when mum was busy Poppy always sit in his chair and I would sit on the side and he would poor his drink into my mouth and I went crazy I think he might have gotten me alcohol even tho I was five or six.

“He loved that recliner as much as he loved us” ❤️

❤️ TASH’S STORY

For Poppy

Poppy, you were the best stepdad I could have ever asked for.

For 25 years, you were a part of my life and our whole family. You provided so much for us, and I want you to know how grateful and blessed I am to have known you.

We clashed along the way.

We laughed.

We cried.

We shared.

We went camping. 🏕️

We talked, we made beautiful memories, smoked a few cigarettes and sipped on some Scotch together.

You gave me, my mumma and my siblings the safety and stability we so desperately needed in our lives.

You loved us like your own, and there was nothing you wouldn’t do to support each and every one of us throughout our lives.

And then you became our Poppy to Liam, Lily and Charlie.

How beautiful it was to watch you love them, guide them and teach them along the way.

Thank you for everything and more, Poppy.

I will never forget the strength and resilience you showed me throughout your life, and especially during your fight against cancer.

What a man. ❤️

I will always hold you close in my heart and miss you until we meet again one day.

Heaven gained another beautiful soul — one of my favourites. ❤️

Just know you were loved, Poppy — even when you were grumpy too! 😂

I know you’ll watch over all of us.

We miss you all the time. 😢❤️

❤️ JORDAN’S STORY 😇

Jordan Bennett Forever 38

(From family members for him since he’s no longer with us)

❤️ From nan For my late husband ❤️

From asking Pop for $50 before one of the earliest family outings 😂 to the memories created over the years, Jordan’s story is another part of Pop’s legacy.

❤️ For my brother from Steph ❤️

I’d also like to remember my brother, who at first wasn’t sure about Paul coming into our family with our mother.

But in time, they bonded and he came to love Paul unconditionally.

As siblings, we didn’t have our fathers around much.

Paul became the father figure to us all that we didn’t have.

For that, we will be forever grateful and forever lucky to have had him in our lives.

I know in my heart that you are both in Heaven now, probably enjoying a Scotch or two together.

So until I see you both one day, all my love. ❤️

❤️ CHARLIE’S STORY

Charlie’s story

Charlie will share their favourite memories of Pop, the special moments they shared and what Pop meant to her.

“…”

❤️ NANNA’S QUOTE

Nanna says:

“He was a special man and I’ll never have another relationship like ours. We will always have our memories.”

And that is what Pop left behind.

Memories.

The road trips.

The caravan.

The family dinners.

The laughter.

The arguments.

The cheeky jokes.

The adventures.

The little moments that didn’t seem important at the time but became priceless after he was gone.

Their story may have started with Nanna thinking Pop was a smart arse.

But somewhere along the way, they built a life together.

They built a family.

They built a lifetime of memories.

And no cancer can ever take that away.

💙 WHY WE ARE DOING COOKIES4CANCER

We know that nothing we do can bring Pop back.

But we can make sure his life continues to mean something.

We can turn our grief into action.

We can turn our memories into hope.

And we can turn Pop’s fight into support for other people and families facing cancer.

Our goal is to raise $10,000 for Cancer Council.

Every donation, no matter how big or small, gets us closer.

Every cookie.

Every shave.

Every haircut.

Every colour.

Every share.

Every person who shows up.

It all matters.

📍 COME SUPPORT US

Our COOKIES4CANCER fundraiser will be held on Saturday 10 October and Sunday 11 October, all the other event details will be announced on here and our socials when we get them.

You can support us by:

✂️ Shaving your hair
💇 Getting a haircut
🎨 Dyeing your hair
🍪 Buying a cookie
❤️ Donating
📲 Sharing our fundraiser

You don’t have to donate a huge amount.

$5 matters.
$10 matters.
$20 matters.
A share matters.
Showing up matters.

Because every little bit helps us get closer to our $10,000 goal.

🕊️ FOR POP

Paul Graham was born on 29 December 1955.

He lived.

He loved.

He travelled.

He built a family.

He became a Pop.

He made memories.

He fought cancer.

And he fought until the bitter end.

Cancer may have taken Pop from us, but it will never take away the love we have for him.

It will never take away the memories.

It will never take away the lessons.

And it will never take away the mark he left on every person who loved him.

So now, we carry his fight forward.

For Pop.

For our family.

For everyone fighting cancer.

For every family sitting beside someone they love.

And for every person who deserves more time with the people they love.

Help us turn Pop’s story into hope.

Help us reach $10,000.

Help us fight for a cancer-free future.

❤️

THIS ONE IS FOR YOU, POP.

Forever loved.
Forever missed.
Forever our pop. 🕊️❤️

Thank you everyone. ❤️