City of Newcastle’s (CN) 2026 Citizen of the Year Peter Sleap believes the award will motivate him to go “above and beyond” even further.
The man behind Sleapy’s Foundation has used personal adversity – stage four throat cancer – to drive meaningful change for local families through his unique charity for the past decade.
It’s delivered immediate financial relief, profound experiences and practical programs for victims of the disease, as well as their relatives, with 99% of all funds going directly back into the community.
And, in 2025, the organisation continued to blossom.
Sleapy’s Foundation raised $250,000 at its annual Sleapy’s Day, supported in excess of 160 local families, provided Cancer Care Bags for patients at Calvary Mater Hospital and led a $500,000 project to establish a courtyard at the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at the John Hunter Hospital.
That latter undertaking is expected to open this year.
Despite all of that great work, Mr Sleap was a bit sheepish about receiving the accolade on Tuesday 27 January.
“I’m completely overwhelmed and so humbled by it,” he said.
“When I was given 6-12 months to live 16 years ago, who’d have thought it would come to this?
“I know it’s an individual award.
“And, I understand I’m the face [of the charity] and it started from my cancer journey – one that continues today.
“However, I accept it on behalf of Sleapy’s Foundation.
“In saying that, I wouldn’t be here [collecting it] if it wasn’t for my incredible wife Robynn, who’s the backbone and heart of the organisation.
“She’s also presently fighting cancer and is an inspiration to all.
“To her; my chairman David Fleming, who’s been there from the start; my board of directors (Kim Hartigan, Scott Pfeiffer, Ross Holding, Bruce Mackie and Kellie Wright); our full-time employees Nikki Byrnes and Carly Browne; our care nurse Sloane Fitzhenry; our volunteers and sponsors; I say thank you.
“This foundation is much more than a charity, it’s a family.
“That means the world to me.
“I’m sharing this [award] with everyone, from those who’ve donated or partnered with us, attended events or simply supported our work along the way.
“I will honour it and I’ll cherish it but, most of all, I will inspire with it.”
Mr Sleap is excited by what lays ahead, too.
“We have the potential to help more than 1,000 families in Newcastle and the Hunter in a single year,” he said.
“That’s truly amazing.”
The Newcastle Weekly is the media partner of Sleapy’s Foundation
For more news stories:
- Sleapy’s a well-deserved Newcastle Citizen of the Year
- Selfless residents share Newcastle’s Senior Citizen of the Year award
- Dedication to Singleton acknowledged on Australia Day
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