Adam Johnson has rounded up a team of six mates, four of those long-term Sharks members with 70 years of ticketed membership between them, for The Big Three Trek - a walk from Sydney to Newcastle, taking place as a part of Beanies for Brain Cancer Round.
The Big Three Trek weekend will mark just over two years since his son Liam was diagnosed with a brain tumour; confirmed to be Medulloblastoma brain cancer on his sixth birthday.
The Sharks Have Heart team reached out to the Johnson family last year to help cheer Liam and the family up following what had been a brutal and intense period of treatment. Two brain surgeries; the first of which left Liam unable to walk or communicate, then 30 days of brain and spine radiation and four months of high dose chemotherapy.
In Jun 2025, the Sharks Have Heart team delivered a heartfelt moment for Liam; a morning with the Sharks team, including photo opportunities and meeting the players. A snapshot of the morning caught the attention of the community with over 19000 Instagram views. Now Adam and his mates are looking to provide an update and build on the relationship by making Sharks members and fans aware of their fundraising efforts for an extremely worthy cause.
Adam's team - known as "Team LJ" - will take part in the 150km walk over three days from Sydney to Newcastle, in partnership with the Mark Hughes Foundation, with Adam and his team setting themselves a lofty fundraising goal of $150K in support of the important work the foundation does for brain cancer support and research.
Adam, a Director of Cowyn Building Group and a 19-year Sharks member, will be joined by Chris Fleming, also a 19-year Sharks member and National Head of Partnerships for Procare Group, Mark Abad, another 19-year member and Principal of St Raphaels Catholic Primary School, Hurstville, and Shaun Johnson, not the former Sharks and Warriors player, but a NSW Police Detective Sergeant who has also been a member at the Sharks for 15 years.
Liam’s recent 12-month post-treatment scan is thankfully clear and while his body continues to recover from the intensive treatments, he is enjoying getting back to ‘normal’ life.
Whilst a bye in round 17 means there's no opportunity to cheer on the Sharks, you can cheer on Team LJ as they make the trek to Newcastle. Team LJ are committed to the cause, not only for Liam, but to raise funds so that others impacted by this disease can have the best care and support possible, as well as hope for a cure.
CLICK HERE to go to the fundraising page and to make a donation, or go to the Mark Hughes Foundation website where more information is available - https://markhughesfoundation.com.au/
Lead Photo - Liam Johnson, front and centre with dad Adam, joined the Sharks NRL squad for their team photo last year.
