Chalky and Isla.

On the face of it, former All Blacks Logistics Manager Chalky Carr and 7 year old Isla Lunn don’t have a lot in common.

But they’re bound together by Cancer.

Chalky is fighting Pancreatic Cancer; and little Isla’s solo parent, her Mum, Kellie has just died of Breast Cancer.

Chalky thought he’d kicked his "rust" into touch last year after surgery and chemotherapy but a recent scan has shown the cancer has returned and he has been given a terminal diagnosis. The former Royal Marine Commando and Royal New Zealand Navy Officer, loving husband and father, has been forced to retire from work with the All Blacks and is in the midst of further, grueling chemotherapy.

He’s mentally strong and brave; he was awarded the New Zealand Bravery Medal by the Governor-General for his actions saving lives at the CTV Building in the Christchurch Earthquake in February 2011.

Chalky wants no sympathy, but he does want to do something productive and meaningful while he can – and for Chalky that’s helping someone else impacted by Cancer.

Just a few weeks ago, Kellie Lunn died of Breast Cancer. She was a solo mum to 7 year old Isla and wanted to give her little girl the best life she could. When Isla was 3, Kellie trained and became a Vet Nurse. But Kellie’s Breast Cancer diagnosis at the end of 2016 changed everything.

Sadly, Kellie became so sick, so fast that she and Isla never got the chance to fill her photo albums and memory boxes with exciting adventures and special times together. Instead, Kellie spent a great deal of time in hospital, in incredible pain. Isla fought through her own fear of hospitals to visit her mum every day and Kellie fought hard to stay with Isla, but in August, Kellie peacefully passed away.

Isla is being raised by Kellie’s parents, Jennie and Alan. Both work hard to support Isla while coping with their own grief and Isla misses her Mum terribly. Just like Kellie, she adores animals! Horse riding is her big love and she’s desperate to pat a lemur one day. She’s just returned to dancing and is back into school life at Harewood School, though when the class sing “You Are My Sunshine”, “I’ll Stand By You” and “The Daffodil Song” her usual smiles give way to quiet tears. She has spent her free-time of late “bedazzling” the box for Kellie’s ashes in pink and purple jewels, heart breaking moments, but ones Kellie would have found hilarious.

Chalky has been so touched by Isla and Kellie’s story. He’s all too aware of the drive parents have to make sure their children are provided for, right through to adulthood. Kellie never got the chance to create that nest egg for Isla, so Chalky wants to instead.

On Wednesday 20 September, Chalky and his sons, Jamie and Josh, will have their heads shaved by Crusaders Captain and All Black, Sam Whitelock. He hopes to raise $100,000 for Isla and her family.