Costelloe and co to chase fourth Dry July crown

GEELONG personality Rory Costelloe will again go dry this July and try help lead the Barwon Health Foundation’s Billy’s Frothy Fund team to its four national fundraising title in a row.

The Villawood executive director Mr Costelloe will again be teaming up with Cats legend Billy Brownless and fellow Geelong locals to raise funds for Barwon Health’s Andrew Love Cancer Centre.

Billy’s Frothy Fund has been the top fundraising team during Dry July fundraising for the last three years, raising more than $500,000 for cancer patients in Geelong.

Mr Costelloe has personally raised over $120,000 over the last three years.

He said he was looking forward to making a positive difference to the lives of those doing it tough this July.

“It’s been a fantastic four years of doing this event, and I am always surprised by how generous everyone has been. It’s become my biggest single fundraiser on a personal level.

“This year is obviously a bit tougher with the cost-of-living crisis and economic situation, but we are still hopeful that everyone can dig in to help out.

“We are hopeful we can be the top fundraising team and individually again, but if we aren’t as long as we’ve done our best and that’s all that matters.”

Mr Costelloe said the cause is one very close to his heart and has grown in importance over the last year.

“I’ve previously lost one brother of mine to the disease and I currently have a niece who is struggling with brain cancer.

“It makes it a fairly personal push for me this year to support Dry July and all the great things it achieves.”

Barwon Health Foundation acting executive director Frances Trainor said he was thrilled the Billy’s Frothy Fund team was back for 2024.

“The winning combination of Billy, Rory Costelloe and other key Geelong personalities and members have raised over $275,000 for Barwon Health’s Andrew Love Cancer Centre and cancer services since its inception in 2021.

“Previous funds raised have supported amazing initiatives such as patient transport vehicles, refurbishment of patient accommodation units, wellness therapies such as massage, art therapy, yoga and physio and contribution toward the refurbishment of the Chemotherapy Day Ward at the Andrew Love Cancer Centre.”

The Barwon Health Foundation itself has raised more than $1.7 million through Dry July fundraising, enhancing cancer patient comfort, care and wellbeing at Barwon Health since 2013.

To donate or to join the team, head to dryjuly.com/geelong