Brian Grey is one of the humblest human beings you will ever come across. Affectionately known as ‘Dubba’ by friends and family, he is a salt-of-the-earth man who has lived in the same house in Bankstown for 70 years and who loves his community with every fibre of his being. 

Roughly 30 years ago, Dubba began building a relationship with staff at the Westmead Hospital Oncology Ward. He wasn’t sick… none of his family members or friends were sick… and he didn’t know anyone who worked there. He just decided it was a cause he wanted to support. 

He began fundraising and donating his own money to support sick children being treated in the Oncology Ward at Westmead and developed a close relationship with the Director of Nursing at the hospital. 

As Dubba’s passion for giving back to the community grew, he encouraged his fellow bowlers and his friends to join him. They began pooling money together at different raffle events at various pubs and clubs in the local area, and if any of them won a prize they would donate it to the children in hospital. 

Alongside the regular cash and raffle prize donations, Dubba and the men’s bowlers at Bankstown Bowls also run a yearly Christmas toy drive with all gifts going to sick children at Westmead Children’s Hospital. 

In November every year, they set up an area inside Bankstown Sports Bowling Club where members of the public and club patrons can leave Christmas gifts for the sick kids in hospital. Every year, they receive over 100 presents which they personally deliver to the hospital before Christmas Day. 

In 2023, Bankstown Sports Club decided to back the campaign that Dubba has created over the years and organised a toy drive at all our venues, which amounted to over 600 toys being donated.  

It’s estimated over the past 30 years, Dubba and the men’s bowlers have contributed thousands of dollars in cash donations and toys to benefit sick kids at Westmead Children’s Hospital. 

Most of the financial contributions made have been put towards the purchase of special ambulatory infusion pumps which help to facilitate at-home treatment for cancer patients, as well as other vital equipment for the Oncology Ward.  

When asked about why he started the toy drive and the donations to the hospital, Dubba says he just thought it would be something nice to do. 

“I wanted to do something charitable for others. Why shouldn’t I? It’s a good thing to do. It helps the kids out and makes them feel happy. 

“But it’s not just me or one person… it’s everyone chipping in together”.