Brett Kimmorley has broken down on live television just weeks after losing his wife to brain cancer.
Sharnie Kimmorley, 38, passed away in March after an eight month battle with the illness, leaving the NRL legend as the sole parent of their four young daughters: Maddi, Mia, Ava and Ivy.
And despite feeling “ empty” and needing to live “day to day” the premiership-winning halfback has conjured up the strength to speak about his family’s devastating loss for the benefit of the NRL’s ‘Beanies For Brain Cancer’ round this weekend.
All proceeds will go the Mark Hughes Foundation, set up by former Newcastle fullback Mark Hughes, who beat brain cancer.
“It’s obviously something that’s very special for us as a family to try and push forward and help someone else not have to go through it,” he said on Fox Sports’ League Life.
“Until you’re around it, you don’t know. Obviously you know there’s a lot of cancer and lot of things out there, but it impacts you in a sledgehammer way when you become a part of it.”
Brett went on to speak about his daughters’ great efforts to raise money and awareness for charities that help to support others going through similar situations.
“My children have done their own things to help mum,” he said.
“They did Relay For Life last week, as something special they wanted to do for mum… We started as a family and we finished as a family. Everything we do at the moment is an ‘us’ decision, not so much a ‘me’ or an ‘I’ decision.”
“[We are] trying to take something that Sharnie tried to say to us last year, that she could handle it,” he said doing his best to hold back tears.
“It’s like trying to carry that… [legacy].”
Brett pictured with his late wife, Sharnie.
Brett and his four young daughters — Maddi, Mia, Ava and Ivy.
The 40-year-old, who wed Sharine in 2000, also explained that the NRL community and his children have provided a great deal of support during the most difficult time in his life.
“It’s something you probably don’t know how to handle. I feel very empty, waking up. But the support you do get from the NRL and friends helps,” Brett said.
“My four daughters … they’re your sole focus, that gets you through each day. I don’t look ahead very far, I look day-to-day and I roughly know how I’m going.”
“It’s very isolated and you feel lost and empty, so you certainly need people to ask questions. Family have certainly been great but they’re all based in Newcastle so you rely on your close friends and the people around you.”
“It’s like the big family has to stay together and rally together.”
Our thoughts continue to be with Brett and his family during this difficult time.
