By Nick Creely
The Pakenham Lions Football and Netball Club will host a special community fundraiser on Saturday 21 July, with the club looking to raise funds for the Amy Gillet Foundation, aimed at raising awareness about safe cycling on the roads.
The Amy Gillett Foundation is named after champion cyclist Amy Gillett, who was killed while training in Germany in 2005, and the organisation has since worked to create safer bike riding in Australia.
On the day, the club will be supporting Charlene Rich and her brother Brandon – who are both active members of the Lions – as well as the entire Rich family, who tragically lost their dad Ken while riding in Pakenham on Good Friday, 2017, and are hoping for a big turnout as they take on Narre Warren.
Lions netball president Marg Jones said the club has a community focus, and regardless of the on-court results, is proud they can host a day for everyone to get involved.
“We’re so pleased that we can be supporting Charlene, Brandon and the Rich family – they’ve been amazing members of our club for a long period of time, and with their dad Ken so tragically passing away last year, for us it means the world to be able to help out,” he said.
“We’re about a community, and we’re a family who looks after their members – to be able to support the family in something they’re so passionate about makes us proud.”
Jones praised both Charlene and Brandon’s efforts to get the day up and running, with a number of activities on the day for the family.
“When you speak to Charlene and Brandon, you can just see the passion they have for the safety messages, and that’s why we want to support them,” she said.
The Victorian Police will be there supporting the day, and will have vehicles on display. Other activities, such as face painting, raffles, food, competitions and much more will keep the family entertained as they learn more about the Foundation and how to donate while watching some quality football and netball.
But the main event of the fundraiser will take place at 3.30pm, with an afternoon tea via gold coin donation to take place in the social rooms featuring guest speakers.
Jones urged everyone to get involved at the afternoon tea, which will feature some eye-opening guest speakers who will share the safety message.
“It’ll be after A Grade has finished, we’ve invited Narre Warren up to the rooms too, and we’ll be able to watch the rest of the footy while we listen to guest speakers that Charlene and Brandon have organised,” she said.
“They’ll talk about the foundation, and the safety message, so we’re really looking forward to that.”
All money will be donated to the Amy Gillett Foundation. For more information on the Foundation, head to amygillett.org.au.
Meanwhile, in A-Grade results over the weekend, ladder leaders Tooradin-Dalmore continued their frightening form by defeating Cranbourne 71-29 at Casey Fields.
The Seagulls were once again well served by Alex Duff (30 goals) and Alex Maher (33), who were deadly in attack.
Down at Starling Road, Doveton maintained a slight lead all day to take 41-38 win over ROC.
It’s a huge result in the contest of the season, with the Doves surging into fourth after starting the round in sixth, and as a result, the Kangaroos have dropped out of the top five by percentage.
In the second half of the split round this weekend, Beaconsfield will look to keep pressure at the top when they host the winless Berwick at Holm Park, while Pakenham hosts Narre Warren at Toomuc Reserve.
