Community
8 May, 2026
Family blown away by fundraiser support
THE Camperdown community has rallied around a hardworking family man after a shock diagnosis brought his one-man business to a halt.
Darryl Eldred was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a cancer which affects the blood and bone marrow, late last month.
His sister Brooke Forster and mother Lee Matthews teamed up to create a GoFundMe campaign, which had raised $14,590 at time of publication.
Mrs Forster described Darryl as hardworking and a proud Camperdown resident.
“He’s very loyal to his friends and passionate about what he does,” she said.
“He’s a family man who loves his children and does everything for them.
“He’s very loving and caring – he wears his heart on his sleeve.
“He’s very strong-willed, and if there’s something he’s going to do, he’ll do it.”
Mrs Forster said the diagnosis had come as a shock, with the sudden move straight to treatment leaving his family without an income.
“It started as a simple cracked lip and a high temperature; Darryl went to the doctors to have this checked and while he was there they took a blood test,” she said.
“I don’t know the full story, but I know the clinic called a short time later that very same day and told Darryl he needed to go to Warrnambool for further testing with the bloods coming back abnormal.
“He went to Warrnambool, and he hasn’t come out of hospital since.
Darryl has since been selected to undergo a two-year clinical trial in The Royal Melbourne Hospital to try and beat this aggressive form of leukaemia he has – there is a long road ahead.
“With finding out the diagnosis and the long-term sickness absence, he wasn’t going to be working and he has a family he provides for – they’re not going to have an income to pay for expenses, so it made sense to me to do what I could to support them.”
The fundraiser has seen strong support from the community, surpassing the $14,300 goal in two weeks.
“I feel humbled by the support we have received from our community and surroundings rallying together to support my brother in need,” Mrs Forster said.
“It’s definitely helped with their current situation.
“I am overwhelmed – I can’t even put into words how grateful we are for the support and love the community has shown.
“It’s caught us by surprise, that’s for sure.
“We would like to thank everyone in the community, friends, family and those close to Camperdown with our whole hearts for their support.”
Mrs Forster said the family had been overwhelmed by the generosity, with a variety of businesses and community groups supporting Darryl.
“I’ve come across a post on socials 10 Billy Goats is donating a dollar for every hamburger and souvlaki sold for the month of May,” she said.
“There’s also Nigel Finlayson and Mark Pascoe from the Camperdown and District Motorcycle club doing their bit – they’re doing a fundraising ride on May 30.
“They have also put together bumper stickers for people to purchase on the ride/drive where all vehicles are welcome and Brandon Lawlor of Find the Limit Clothing Co has donated the sales of a particular shirt towards the cause.
“It goes to show how connected our communities can be, and it’s so beautiful – we thank each and every one of you.”
Anyone wishing to donate to the family can do so at www.gofundme.com/f/support-darryls-fight-acute-myeloid-leukemia.
Read More: Camperdown, local