On Saturday, when more than 250 people turned out to support the Griffith dad – who is battling cancer for the third time in five years – they heard that Mr Brugger’s wife, Naomi, is expecting their second child in April next year.

The pizza night fund-raiser, held by Mr Brugger’s Collier and Miller workmates at the Area Hotel, has been hailed a huge success.

Mr Brugger was first diagnosed with lymphatic cancer (Hodgkins lymphoma) in 2008. He relapsed in 2011 and again in July this year.

“Our son Tomas has been asking for a brother or sister for a while now,” Mr Brugger said.

“We are really excited. I have had two rounds of chemotherapy so far and I’m due for another in two weeks. After that, I go 

for a scan and I have an allogenic stem cell transplant scheduled for February 2014 if all goes to plan.

 “I’m hoping to be back on my feet by the time the baby is due. It really all depends on how the scan goes.”

Mr Brugger said he was overwhelmed by the response to Saturday’s fund-raiser and thanked everyone involved.

“Full credit to the community, I was blown away,” Mr Brugger said. 

“There were more people than I ever expected to come along.

“Griffith people are amazing. It means a lot to know so many people care.”

Mrs Brugger said among the many acts of kindness shown on the night was when Adrian Murray, who has been growing his hair for five years, offered to lop it off.

“We don’t know Adrian personally. He is the brother of Josh (who works with Chris) ... ,” Mrs Brugger said.

“It was quite an emotional thing to see someone we don’t even know come forward to do something like this. It is incredible.”

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Mr Brugger stood up to share his cancer journey and thank the crowd.

Any funds raised will help cover Mr Brugger’s travel and accommodation expenses.