An amount of $86,000 will be donated to the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank’s Bushfire Appeal following the Bendigo Bombers’ practice match against a Bendigo Football Netball League’s All-Star team.
Bendigo Bombers Football Club Chairman David Joss said that the match and the associated family entertainment had delivered a magnificent result, which exceeded all initial expectations.
"With the common cause it has been fantastic to see local Footy unite," he said.
“We raised $36,000 from the match and, in addition, the Essendon Football Club donated $50,000 to the Bank’s local appeal which was a fantastic outcome.
“Although the match was an important aspect of our club’s pre-season training schedule, the emphasis was, firstly, on providing enjoyable entertainment for families and, secondly, to make as large a contribution to the appeal as possible.
“The level of support we received from the League, the Greater Bendigo City Council, local service clubs such as Rotary and the YMCA, the Victoria Police and everyone who assisted in one way or another with amusements for the kids in the crowd was over-whelming and, as a result, the whole day was a brilliant success.
“From the moment we announced the match, local businesses and people wanted to help.
“The response to the Celebrity/Business footy match was excellent and, in addition to providing some great entertainment, we raised $5,000 from player nominations. People such as Matthew Knights, Gary O’Donnell, Adrian Hickmott and a host of local identities put up their hands to play because they wanted to contribute and because they knew the celebrity game would generate considerable interest thereby benefitting the appeal.”
Damian Drum, the League’s Chairman, complimented the community on the way in which it had supported the event.
“From start to finish the whole day was a triumph” he said.
“Crowd numbers were excellent, everyone entered into the spirit of the event and the contribution to the appeal is a result of which we can all be very, very proud.
“Selection of the All-Stars team was assisted by each of the League’s clubs and even though there was limited preparation time, the match produced some extremely good football.”
Mr Joss and Mr Drum applauded Essendon’s donation to the appeal.
“Essendon really put the icing on the cake. It was a magnificent gesture which was prompted not only by its alignment with our club, but also because of an alliance it had previously developed with the Eaglehawk secondary College,” Mr Joss said.
“Essendon’s support for football in this area is well known, but their decision to donate that amount of money to our local appeal really demonstrates the strength of their alignment with Bendigo and their commitment to this community.”
Last Modified on 25/03/2009 17:21