Community rallies for Australian Idol singer diagnosed with cancer

Singer Courtney Murphy, father of three young children, is facing the "fight of his life" against advanced stage bowel cancer.

The self-employed rock singer faces a difficult journey to recovery and "will not be able to work for the foreseeable future", his brothers Chris and Kieran Murphy said.

The news comes 12 weeks after Mr Murphy's father died from a brain tumour.

Mr Murphy, two-time recipient of a Mark Holden touchdown, was a contestant on singing competition in 2004. He finished third behind Casey Donovan and Anthony Callea.

On the show he was praised for his powerful rock singing voice, belting out Queen's Somebody to Love to a rapturous crowd.

He continued to perform in the stage production of We Will Rock You and in the bands Murphy's Lore and The Murphy Brothers with his family.

"We think it's fair to say he's been entertaining West Aussies for the best part of 30 years," his brothers said.

"Anyone who knows Courtney knows that his heart is as a big as his voice."

More than 900 people had donated to the drive, that has a target of $120,000, at April 3.

All money from the fundraiser will go to Mr Murphy's young family as they "navigate the difficult road ahead".