The occasion was held to inaugurate council's ongoing commitment to support the Mark Hughes Foundation after Mick was diagnosed with brain cancer.

Speaking to a crowd of fellow employees, friends and family members, an emotional Mick said he hoped some positives would emerge from what he was going through.

"I know that eventually it will end," he said.

"But I want to see that at least something good comes out of all this."

Mark Hughes made the journey up from Newcastle for the event and spoke about his own battle with brain cancer as well as the important work he was doing to help improve treatment for brain cancer patients like Mick.

The former Newcastle Knights' player will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with 20 others in October - including Taree league great Danny Buderus - and is trying to raise $600,000 in order to put specialist brain cancer care nurses in hospitals at Taree, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and Tamworth.

"We're really asking the local community to get behind it so we can get these nurses in these areas," he said.

"A normal nurse is not enough. It's a scary place."

He thanked everyone for choosing to support the foundation and embracing the beanie for brain cancer initiative.

"By wearing a beanie you're doing far more than just wearing a beanie," he said.

"You're supporting our cause, you're giving hope.

"There's not a lot of hope in brain cancer but throughout the foundation there is starting to come ... there is hope there."

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Speaking about council's decision to support the cause on an annual basis, general manager Adrian Panuccio said it was about getting behind Mick and also raising awareness of the disease in the region.

"The foundation does great work," he said.

"It's about bringing brain cancer awareness to the community and hopefully contributing to helping to find a cure."

Council weren't the only organisation to pledge their support, with Forster-based real estate agents Noble Realty presenting a cheque for $2,300 to the foundation.

To get behind the Mark Hughes Foundation's Kilimanjaro trek and help bring support to brain cancer patients like Mick, click here.

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