Simone Downing has organised a fundraising event in honour of her partner Daniel ‘Wattsy’ Watts who died of melanoma cancer this year. 72851
By Bridget Cook
CRANBOURNE resident Simone Downing wants her partner’s last gift to this world to be a donation to help find a cure to the disease that took his life.
Ms Downing’s boyfriend, Daniel ‘Wattsy’ Watts, died in September this year from melanoma at the age of 27.
Ms Downing, with the help of Wattsy’s friends, has organised a fundraising night this month in his honour, with all proceeds to go to the Scott Kirkbride Melanoma Research Centre.
Wattsy, who lived and went to school in Cranbourne, was first diagnosed with a stage three melanoma in 2007 and had it removed.
He was given the all clear following a scan that year, however little did he know that the cancer had already spread to his lymphatic system.
On 10 August this year, Wattsy was again diagnosed with stage four melanoma and brain tumours. Less than a month later – on 5 September – he died.
Ms Downing said the fundraiser would not only celebrate Wattsy’s life and birthday, but also make a contribution to the melanoma research centre to help find a cure for the terrible disease.
“We want to donate the money raised in his name,” she said. “We want it to be the last thing he gives.
“We want to make him part of the solution, not just a victim.”
The fundraising night will be held on Thursday 24 November from 8pm at Playhouse, 229 Boundary Road, Mordialloc, which was Wattsy’s favourite nightclub.
The band 4 Letter Sign will be playing all Wattsy’s favourite cover songs.
The night will include raffles, ribbons being sold in Wattsy’s favourite colours and Playhouse will be donating 50 cents from every drink to the cause.
Ms Downing said they were calling on local residents and the business community to get on board and make donations, as well as donate items for the raffle.
For more information on how to donate visit www.wattsyfundraiser.weebly.com or contact Ms Downing at simone.downing@hotmail.com.
