Mt Lyford Ski Area co-founder Hamish Simpson has passed away at the age of 44 following a battle with brain cancer.

The beloved family member and the Ski Area Manager, died on Thursday, 18th July, in Kaikoura, surrounded by his loved ones.

He was being remembered as a fearless leader who played a pivotal role in the community and the ski area.

Hamish had been battling a brain tumour and had faced numerous challenges related to his treatment.

Despite the family’s efforts and support from the community, the financial burden of his medical expenses was significant.

A family friend had set up a Givealittle page to help raise funds for Hamish’s treatment, including the costly immunotherapy drug, Avastin, and a promising new chemotherapy drug, Ivosidenib, which came with a $62,000 annual price tag.

The friend wrote on the page, “I know many of us have been wishing there was a way we could support Hamish, Caroline, Ollie (15 years), and Jono (14 years) through Hamish’s brain tumour.

After talking to them this week, I discovered they are battling with only Caroline being able to work and trying to pay for the ‘unfunded’ immunotherapy drug Hamish is currently using, and now they need to find money for a new chemo drug available to Hamish. Let’s make this possible!”

The message also highlighted the frustration felt by the family when they discovered that Avastin, an approved immunotherapy drug Hamish was taking, would not be funded in New Zealand despite its promising results overseas.

Avastin works by blocking angiogenesis, the process by which new blood vessels develop in the body, which tumours rely on to grow. By blocking this process, Avastin starves the tumour of the blood it needs to grow.

Hamish’s brain cancer had a mutation called IDH1, making him eligible for Ivosidenib, a promising new drug not funded in New Zealand.

A service for Hamish will be held at The Memorial Hall in Kaikoura at 2 pm on Friday, 26th July.

The community is invited to attend and pay their respects.