Friends and family turned out in droves to support Dunedin man Matt Stuart and son Donnie (4) at a fundraiser yesterday.
About 200 people gathered at the Southern Rugby Club to share stories, laughs and fun with Mr Stuart after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer of the liver in February and told he had just months to live.
"It's pretty overwhelming,'' Mr Stuart said.
"I'm not used to having all these people around.
"I know only about half of the people here,'' he said.
Mr Stuart said on Friday it meant a lot that his friends would "go out of their way'' for him and he was "humbled''.
The fundraiser included a silent auction, raffles, a kids' corner, classic car rides, food, live music and several people having their hair shaved for the cause.
After learning of his situation, friends Haley Duffy, Gretel McDonald and Stacey Fraser decided to try to make the rest of Mr Stuart's life as enjoyable and easy as possible.
Mrs Duffy believed about $20,000 was raised.
"Your generosity has been overwhelming and humbling,'' she told the gathering.
"I would never have imagined this response.
"We love you [Matt].''
