Former Canterbury Bulldogs half Jason Alchin has described the ache of studying his outdated teammate Sandy Campbell had slipped by means of the cracks to be left battling most cancers and dwelling tough on the streets of Tweed Heads in northern NSW.
Campbell was found final week wheeling his worldly possessions across the area in a buying trolley, together with his life-saving chemotherapy supply medical machine, and sleeping on the seashore beneath the native surf membership.
Now the rugby league neighborhood is uniting to offer help for the person as soon as nicknamed ‘Dancin’ Sandy Campbell’ who performed winger and centre for the Bulldogs, Souths and Roosters within the late Eighties and early Nineteen Nineties.
Sandy Campbell (proper) has been dwelling tough and is battling throat most cancers on the streets of Tweed Heads in northern New South Wales
Former Canterbury Bulldogs half Jason Alchin met with Campbell who’s nearly unrecognisable as we speak together with his face tattoos
Alchin is at present coach of the Western Clydesdales in Toowoomba, a feeder membership for the Bulldogs.
‘That is so unhappy,’ Alchin instructed Information Corp earlier than their assembly.
‘I have never heard from him for years and years. He went off and did his personal factor.
‘It is unhappy that we’re all saying ‘how did this occur.’ It could have been good to know earlier that he is been struggling.
He made the journey all the way down to Tweed Heads to talk to his outdated good friend who he barely recognised due to the tattoos overlaying his face and the absence of his thick shock of hair from his enjoying days.
‘He seen me first,’ Alchin revealed.
‘He was blissful to see a well-known face and saved giving me hugs.
‘Anybody who has performed for Canterbury is household. And I instructed that to Sandy.
‘That the complete membership was there for him. No matter he wants, he’ll be taken care of. As soon as a Bulldog, all the time a Bulldog.’
Following their assembly, Alchin was not eager to enter particulars however stated they loved an extended catch-up the place Campbell was humbled by the priority and help that has been proven for him.
‘He is eager to maintain it personal,’ Alchin stated.
‘He is really shocked everyone seems to be making such a fuss.
‘We had an extended chat. It was good to catch up. He is simply dwelling in his personal little world.
‘I instructed him how everybody was involved, however he insists he is going OK. He is content material.
‘Importantly, he is aware of there’s lots of people there for him who’re ready to assist.’
A member of Household of League [formerly Men of League] was additionally current on the assembly and there are plans being put collectively for that organisation to help Campbell.
Former teammate Kurt Landers has additionally established a GoFundMe web page to boost funds to help the previous star.
Campbell (pictured through the Bulldogs’ 14-10 win over the Roosters in 1988) was a flashy winger in his enjoying days
Former Balmain, South Sydney and North Queensland fullback Tim Brasher was one of many first to donate.
‘I hope we are able to all assist you along with your struggles Sandman,’ he stated.
Landers wrote on the GoFundMe enchantment that he’s hoping to set Campbell up with a caravan, automotive and ongoing charges for a web site so he might be comfy and steady whereas receiving his chemotherapy therapy.
‘Sandy got here into my life within the 80s when weight lifting got here into rugby league,’ he wrote.
‘Bob Landers Health club was the hub for a lot of rugby league boys names like Sandy Campbell , Anthony Ellis, Paul Langmack, Chook Herron, John Ellis and Hugh Mcgann [sic] simply to call a couple of.
Campbell was a success off the sector as effectively, showing on journal covers and turning into well-known for his dancing abilities
‘Sandy went on to play 1st grade with a lot of golf equipment Canterbury, Souths, Roosters and so forth. having an important profession.
‘Now [in] current occasions [he] has fallen on monetary hardship and up to date well being points has made it exhausting for a everlasting residence.
‘My objective is to get him everlasting place (deal with) so he might be comfy with on going therapy. This could imply the world to Sandy and the Campbell household.
‘Aiming for a automotive and caravan with park charges on going. Thanks all for the help.’
You may attain the Sandy Campbell GoFundMe web page right here.
