Donations pour in as Darkes Forest farmer remains critically ill in hospital

The community has rallied round to support the Fahey family at Darkes Forest, with more than $16,000 in donations pouring in after Glenbernie Orchard farmer Glenn Fahey was recently diagnosed with a brain tumour. 

While Glenn is in hospital, having treatment to help reduce the advanced Grade 4 Glioblastoma brain tumour and manage sudden symptoms, his brother Roger has started a GoFundMe page with a goal of $20,000.

“I’m reaching out with love and a heavy heart to ask for support for my brother, Glenn, and his family,” Roger says on the donations page.

“If you know Glenn, you’ll know the kind of man he is a true Aussie farmer, hard working, strong, capable, practical, knowledgeable, but also very kind, thoughtful, humble, and always putting others first. He’s the sort of person who would do anything for his family and community, and he never asks for help.

“Right now, our family is focused on supporting Glenn through treatment and ensuring that when he is well enough to come home, he can spend precious time surrounded by the people who love him most.”

Glenn fell ill before Christmas, as the farm was coming into peak peach harvest season and gearing up to welcome hundreds of visitors on ‘Pick Your Own’ tours during the holidays.

Glenn runs the sixth-generation family with his wife, Jo-Anne, their two children, daughter Casey, son-in-law Callum, and son Brandon. Faheys have maintained this land since 1939, planting fruit trees in the 1950s and about a decade ago, amid challenging times for local farmers, Glenn led the family business in diversifying into making cider from their apples. Their craft brews have gone on to win international awards. 

Glenn is also highly regarded for his volunteer service, having captained the Darkes Forest Rural Fire Brigade for many years.

Glenbernie Orchard is the only remaining commercial fruit farm in the Illawarra and under Glenn’s leadership the farm has kept close ties with the community, holding annual Apple Pie competitions, donating to the Stanwell Park CWA branch and giving many children the chance to pick their first apple or ride their first tractor. 

However, farming is a business that never stops and Glenn's brother says that while his family are doing their best, with "the incredible team" stepping up to help keep the orchard and its farm store going, “the emotional, physical, and financial pressure is enormous”.

“So many family and friends have been asking how they can help and offer love and support. This fundraiser is a way for you and Glenn’s community to rally around and help ease the load during this incredibly difficult time,” Roger says.

“Every donation, message, and share will mean so much. Your support will help relieve pressure on Jo-Anne and the family, and most importantly, help them focus on what matters most right now: Glenn’s comfort, care, and time together.”

Glenbernie's neighbours at horse-riding school Darkes Forest Riding Ranch – another longtime local family business – have called on the wider community for support: "If you’ve called in for a cider or bag of apples after your ride you’ve certainly seen Glenn Fahey on a tractor or pouring your beverage. To think of the heartache and stress the Faheys are currently experiencing is all too hard to comprehend. The work must still be done, the show must go on. Please consider a donation or a simple share & support our Darkes Forest Community."

To donate, click here.

Funds raised will help with medical expenses, support Glenn's care needs when he comes home and take the pressure off so he can spend meaningful time with family.