Footy referee who officiated World Cup final dealt heartbreaking health blow one year after being forced to abandon his family home
- A footy referee has suffered two major setbacks
- Darian Furner officiated the Women's Rugby League World Cup Final
- But a brain tumor has ruled him out for the foreseeable future
More than $10,000 has been raised for a football referee and his family after they were hit by two devastating blows in less than a year.
Darian Furner, who officiated the 2022 Women's Rugby League World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand, had to vacate his parental home last year due to 'structural problems'.
The building – where Furner lived with his wife Emma and their three children Freddy, Arlo and Humphrey – was demolished.
Two months ago, the family suffered another major setback when Furner suffered a brain hemorrhage while in Papua New Guinea for work.
After a number of appointments, a unique type of brain tumor was discovered. A team of doctors have since advised that it is an ependymoma.
Rugby league referee Darian Furner (right) will be on the sidelines for the foreseeable future
The referee has a brain tumor and his family was forced from their home
As a result, Furner is unable to perform while he undergoes treatment and recovers from the tumor.
a GoFundMe pagefounded by family friend Shannen Rissel, explains: 'This puts a lot of emotional and financial strain on their beautiful family of five.
“I can't express how important it is in times like these, when support from family, friends, loved ones and community means everything.
'Any donation to support the current bills for Emma, Darian and their three boys would be greatly appreciated.
'I'm sending them so much strength to get through this ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️'
The fundraiser has raised more than $12,000 at the time of publication.