During its annual fundraiser for the Mark Hughes Foundation, the cafe sold about 980 coffees and 80 Live for Liv scarves. That means a $3200 donation is on its way to the foundation.

Cafe owner Nerida Ramsay was pleased the community rallied behind the important cause.

"I'm really proud of this area for coming out to help us, especially when people are doing it tough at the moment," Nerida said.

The fundraiser coincided with the NRL's Beanies for Brain Cancer round. Through the purchase of beanies or direct donations, $2.55 million was raised. This surpassed the original target of $2 million.

"I think generally they did really well, particularly with no fans at the grounds which is where a lot of the beanies are sold," Nerida said.

Foundation founder Mark Hughes, a former NRL player with the Newcastle Knights, said the national exposure and awareness for brain cancer through the round gives hope for patients and their families.

Nerida, a brain cancer survivor, has seen firsthand the work and trials being done at the Hunter Medical Research Institute in Newcastle.

"I think they're close to finding a cure with the amount of research here and overseas," she said.

"I reckon they're going to crack it, I think they're really close."

She didn't have to think twice about holding another fundraiser in 2021.

"We will do it until there's a cure and while people are here to support us," Nerida said.

Brain cancer survival rates have increased by one per cent in the last 30 years.

It kills more children and people under 40 than any other disease, while only 20 per cent of patients will live more than five years.

Despite one person being diagnosed in Australia every five hours, brain cancer receives less than five per cent of federal funding.

This alone highlights the importance of fundraisers.

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