@Normal:Rob ‘Cogga’ Cockerell is staying sober for six weeks to support his mum Margaret Cockerell, and others battling breast cancer. 75984
By Casey Neill
ROB ‘Cogga’ Cockerell is supporting his mum through the toughest battle of her life by giving up – alcohol, that is.
Cogga, 24, from Belgrave Heights, won’t touch a drop for the six weeks his mum Margaret Cockerell, 56, undergoes radiotherapy.
He’s calling for people to sponsor his efforts to raise cash for the Breast Cancer Network and his mum’s treatment.
“I feel very proud,” Ms Cockerell said.
“I can’t really describe it. It brought a tear to my eye.
“I can’t believe he’s doing it. I know how hard it’s going to be for him.”
Ms Cockerell was diagnosed with breast cancer in the middle of last year following a routine mammogram.
She received a call advising her to see her doctor before even making it back home from the appointment.
“It was pretty devastating,” she said.
“You can’t really believe it.”
While performing a lumpectomy, doctors found the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and glands and had to remove them too.
Ms Cockerell had chemotherapy, and doctors are confident six weeks of radiotherapy will put her into remission.
“I feel pretty relieved,” she said.
Friends and family rallied around during her treatment.
“It’s made it so much easier for me,” she said.
“You realise how much your friends mean to you at a time like this.”
And now her son has set his sights on supporting not only her, but other women diagnosed with breast cancer.
“There are a lot of people out there with a worse story than me,” Ms Cockerell said.
The South Belgrave Football Club seniors captain has got a few team mates on board with the ‘sober six’ challenge, as well as his sisters Fiona, 25, and Joanne, 27.
They’ll give up the grog until Ms Cockerell’s last treatment on 24 February.
“To raise money I needed to do something that was going to be hard,” Cogga said.
“I went down to one of her chemo treatments. The nurses do a great job. Mum was always talking about how great they were and hearing that made me want to do it.
“I knew it would make Mum happy.”
It’s been years since Cogga’s gone more than a couple of weeks without a drink, but he’s looking forward to saving some money, and improving his fitness ahead of the footy season.
He said his mum would be pleased to see him stay sober. “She’s tried and failed many times,” he said.
Ms Cockerell is hoping he’ll get used to it – she’s looking forward to putting him to work on weekends instead of watching him sleep, and laughs at the thought of mates calling in favours while he’s a designated driver. “He’ll be like a taxi. He’ll have to take bookings!” she said.
Donate to Commonwealth Bank account BSB 063245, account number 10704682, or call Mr Cockerell on 0433 496 692.
