The Bowler Bunch raise over $12,000 for Maddie’s Vision in HBF Run for a Reason!

June 2025

It is our honour to introduce The Bowler Bunch! This beautiful family of four includes Baz, Shaz, Luke and Connor.

This inspirational family’s story is one of courage, love, and unity. Originally from Derbyshire, England, life took an unexpected turn when Baz came home with a job offer in Australia and just two weeks to decide. With quiet bravery, Sharon said yes and shortly after they were on a plane with their two young sons, Connor, five, and Luke, three.

They first settled in Melbourne. Then, with Baz securing a job in Perth, the family once again packed their bags to start a new adventure. They’ve now called Perth home for over a decade. The family thrived, and Connor grew into a relaxed, hard-working teen. He got his license, a car and quickly climbed the ranks at McDonald’s to become a department manager while he was still in high school. He had friends, freedom, and a new girlfriend. His dream? To travel to New York.

In late 2023, Connor began experiencing strange symptoms such as nosebleeds, bruises and fatigue. As an active teenager, initially the symptoms seemed minor.  However, Connor’s family and his boss noticed something wasn’t right and urged him to take time off. That decision, Sharon says, ‘saved his life’.

A blood test the day before revealed a critical emergency. Connor was rushed to hospital where doctors were waiting. His blood and platelet levels were dangerously low. Without urgent treatment, he had just days to live.

Initially, doctors suspected leukaemia, however after extensive testing, Connor was diagnosed with the Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome, Aplastic Anaemia. He was also diagnosed with coeliac disease, complicating treatment due to gluten-triggered medication reactions.

What followed was a rollercoaster of hospital stays, infections, and severe reactions including rare conditions such as DRESS syndrome, which turned Connor’s legs a startling purple and forced doctors to halt all treatment. One clear directive emerged, Connor would need a bone marrow transplant. The family were tested immediately, and his brother Luke, just 16 years old at the time, was an almost perfect match to be a donor.

On June 13, just two months after his diagnosis, Connor underwent a bone marrow transplant and began the intense 100-day post-treatment isolation. Through it all, The Bowler Bunch stood strong. Baz took five weeks off work to be by Connor’s side 24/7. Sharon absorbed every detail, every decision, while keeping the family going and being there for Connor. And Luke literally gave part of himself to save his brother’s life.

Recovery wasn’t easy. Connor faced brain seizures, intense pain, dangerous sodium drops, and another ICU admission. But he kept fighting. When signs showed the transplant needed reinforcement, Luke was very happy to take another day off school in September to provide another donation.

Even with all this going on, Baz and Shaz somehow completed academic studies they had begun before Connor’s diagnosis. Now, in 2025, Connor is slowly finding his way back to life, returning to work and reclaiming his independence. His journey is far from over, but his resilience, and his family’s unwavering love and support shine through every step. With Connor marking his transplant re-birth milestone in June, the family look to the future with hope that he will fulfill his dreams.

While The Bowler Bunch received some wonderful support and were grateful to connect with other families they met along the way facing a similar path, they navigated much of their journey on their own.

“It’s like having cancer, but it’s not cancer,” Sharon would explain. “People don’t understand it. We didn’t understand it at first either.”

“I wish we had known about Maddie’s Vision from the start,” she adds. “Aplastic Anaemia is so rare, and it’s hard to find someone who truly understands what you’re going through.”

Connor’s family hope further medical research can help understand some of the unique challenges Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome patients encounter on their journey and find better treatment options.

On Sunday May 25, The Bowler Bunch came together to take on the HBF Run for a Reason in Perth. Their reason? Connor.

The Bowler Bunch have raised an incredible $12,052! And they made it into the top ten for fundraising teams! This is an absolutely phenomenal effort and truly shows the power of the community and the passion from this amazing family.

They have raised crucial funds for Maddie’s Vision to help drive vital research into Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes and essential support services for patients and their families.

Everyone in the Maddie’s Vision community is so grateful for the dedication of The Bowler Bunch and we will continue to be inspired by their family’s courage and resilience.