Luke with Kay and Stacey and Kay’s grandchildren at the Dubbo Zoo.

Harden man Luke Cotter sadly passed away on Sunday morning after battling illness for much of his life. Kay Grovenor provided around the clock care for Luke after his mother passed away from severe headaches, collapse and a heart condition when he was 4 years of age. Well known in the district Luke was a lover of everything sport and he set himself goals as a means of keeping himself vital. He loved watching Cricket, Rugby Union, Rugby League and Soccer. He travelled to many Brumbies matches and was described as one of their biggest fans.

The club came out on Monday with a media release detailing Luke’s love for the team. They said “From everyone at the Aquis Brumbies, we would like to send our thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of one of our biggest fans, affectionately known as “Wheelie Luke”, after his family informed the club of his passing over the weekend. One of the Aquis Brumbies biggest all-time fans, Wheelie Luke and his carers Staci and Kay would travel from their home in Harden by car to all Brumbies home games as well as many of their away games, often driving all the way to Brisbane to cheer on the boys.” Luke was a favourite of the players and was surprised when Staci and Kay took him to Brumbies training on his 30th birthday in July this year, where he was presented with a jersey by the players as a token of their appreciation and support.

Luke was able to attend the Wallabies v New Zealand match on Saturday before he passed away. Luke fought against insurmountable odds his whole life. He suffered from MIMAC: Maternally Inherited Myopathy And Cardiomyopathy. His condition is related to Muscular Neurone Disease and he endured epileptic seizures. Luke was confined to a wheelchair and used a ventilator to breathe for him. For MIMAC (a title invented by Luke’s specialists), Kay put it this way when she spoke to the Twin Town Times as part of her Local Legend story in 2014: “there is no treatment, there is no medication, there’s no anything.” In the New Testament John says, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” It is no exaggeration to say that Kay’s caring for Luke was a living embodiment of the spirit of this quotation.

Kay said that one day driving home from Young, Luke stated, ‘“My Mum’s in Heaven now.” I go, “Yeah Mate, she is.” He said, “So I haven’t got a Mum anymore.” An’d I said, “She’ll always be your Mum, Darlin’, but no, not living.” An’ he goes, “So you can be my Mum now.” An’ I said, “No, you’ve only ever got 1 Mum, Mate.” An’ he goes, “No, I want you to be me Mum now.” It broke me up.”’She said. Kay and her family became Luke’s family. Kay found out about Luke’s condition only 2 months prior to his mother Fiona’s death. Luke was suffering recurring bouts of tonsillitis, the infections of which were crippling his body. Luke’s heartbeat was irregular, as had been his mother’s heartbeat. Luke had his own ICU set up in Kay’s lounge-room. Luke wasn’t able to sleep in a bed for the last 17 years. He slept upright in his chair, with a support to ensure that his head was also kept upright, because he was unable to breathe lying down. Kay slept in a chair beside Luke.

Both Kay and Luke were inseparable until Luke passed. Kay and her family should be proud of the care they provided Luke over his life time. They did a wonderful job in helping Luke live a full life. Although he was confined to a chair, they helped set him free from it. Our condolences are with the family during this very sad time.

Luke’s funeral will be held at St Anthony’s Catholic Church in Harden,

Tuesday August 30 11:00am Donations may be made Muscular Dystrophy.