Veteran with terminal cancer speechless after Blue Wiggle’s kind act
A Queensland army veteran has been left lost for words after finding out about how one of Australia’s biggest music stars plans to set his young family up for life.
Wiggles member Anthony Field has pledged to donate the royalties from the group’s new album, Lullabies With Love, to Brendan Nikolajew’s wife and children.
Nikolajew is in palliative care as he combats late-stage terminal cancer at home in Moreton Bay.
“I never thought that I’d be receiving support and admiration from such a legend,” Nikolajew said of Field’s kind act on Instagram on Tuesday.
“Anthony has given so much and it’s too humbling.
“For this to be put into words is the hardest part … Just a massive thanks to everyone involved!”
The 30-year-old war veteran, who served in Afghanistan, has been battling cancer for more than three years after a small lump was found on one of his testicles.
After treatment of the lump, his cancer returned in November last year and was found in other areas of his body.
Despite undergoing immediate chemotherapy treatment, he was recently given the terminal diagnosis and is making himself as comfortable as possible at home.
His friend, Matthew James, spoke to 7NEWS in July, describing Nikolajew as “a positive guy”.
“He’s the guy in the group who would try to pick you up if you were feeling down,” James said.
“He’s definitely the most genuine bloke you could meet.
“For the past three or so years he’s been really going through it, it’s never really sunk in.
“He’s always been a positive guy. It’s kind of really starting to hit home. It’s a really rough time.”
Field, the blue Wiggle who started the beloved children’s group in the 1990s, also served in the military.
His gesture will be set to benefit Nikolajew’s wife Leah, their four-year-old daughter Georgie, and their two-year-old son Roman.
More than $12000 has also been raised through a GoFundMe for the family.
“These two and my wife, are the reasons I fight/fought so hard, so long and gave whatever it took,” Nikolajew said on Instagram recently.
“I also lived my bloody life, which I’m proud of.”
Image: Brendan Nikolajew / Instagram