Mick Gatto will be one of the guests at a cancer fund-raiser.
MICK Gatto has been made an offer he couldn’t refuse and will visit Warrnambool as part of a cancer fund-raiser.
The colourful Melbourne identity will be part of A Night On The Couch with south-west football exports Brent Moloney and Jordan Lewis to raise money for local cancer charities.
Mr Gatto told The Standard that organiser Jeremy O’Donnell had “twisted his arm” and he couldn’t say no to a good cause.
“I’ve never met the guy before but I’m happy to put my hat in the ring,” he said.
“I believe it’s going to be in a Q and A format and I’m happy to be quite candid.
“It should be good.”
Mr Gatto said the so called Underbelly days were far behind him and his crane company and mediation business kept him very busy.
“A lot of that was really not true,” he said, referring to his rumoured underworld links.
“It was blown out of proportion and, you know, sensationalised for TV.
“It didn’t have much to do with me. I intervened when some of my friends became involved. I was not involved in drugs or anything like that.”
Mr Gatto said he was happy to support the cancer fund-raiser and he generally got a good response from people.
“I treat people the way they treat me,” he said.
“Every now and then some people get a bit cheeky.
“I don’t let it get to me.
“I’m not too thin-skinned.”
The fund-raiser, on Friday, November 16, will be hosted by the Dennington Football Netball Club at the Deep Blue Sebel.
Mr O’Donnell said as well as having family and friends affected by cancer, he was also encouraged by the work his employer Alan Simpson and partner Vicki Jellie had done for Peter’s Project.
“I just had the idea that I wanted to help in some way,” he said.
“It’s something I feel fairly strongly about and have wanted to do for a few years.
“Mick has offered 20 signed books which will be auctioned off, and a night out for 10 people in Melbourne.”
Mr O’Donnell said he had had a fantastic response from businesses and the community and all money raised would go to local charities.
Tickets are available at Alan Simpson’s Land Surveying in Fairy Street, Zest Healthy Living and Warrnambool Bowls Club both in Timor Street and cost $20 for standing room and $35 for a seat at a table of 11, which includes nibbles.
For more information visit the Facebook event A night on the couch with Brent Moloney, Jordan Lewis and Mick Gatto or email jeremyodonnell@hotmail.com