Richmond Football Club will dedicate its Round 21 match against the West Coast Eagles this Sunday 2 August at the MCG to raising vital funds for the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, helping children in crisis heal and recover from trauma.
The Club will once again host its annual Alannah & Madeline Foundation Match Day fundraiser, calling on the Tiger Army to support the Foundation's Buddy Bags program and help provide comfort, dignity and practical support to vulnerable children entering emergency care.
Every hour, a child in Australia is taken into emergency care because they are at serious risk of harm or have no safe place to live. Many arrive with nothing but the clothes they are wearing, feeling frightened, overwhelmed and alone.
A Buddy Bag is often given to a child on their first night in emergency care. Packed with brand new essentials including pyjamas, a toothbrush, underwear and a soft teddy bear, each Buddy Bag helps restore a sense of security, comfort and care at a deeply distressing time.
But right now, half of the children who need a Buddy Bag are missing out because the Foundation cannot keep up with demand.
Alannah & Madeline Foundation Founding Patron, Walter Mikac AM, said the ongoing support of Richmond Football Club and the Tiger Army continues to make a profound difference for vulnerable children.
"A Buddy Bag might seem like a small thing, but for a child who has lost everything, it can be the first sign that someone is looking out for them," Mr Mikac said.
"Richmond and the Tiger Army have stood by vulnerable children year after year for more than a decade. That kind of loyalty changes lives, and I am enormously grateful to everyone who digs deep this Sunday."
Richmond CEO, Shane Dunne, said that the Club was incredibly proud to partner with the Foundation and to support its work keeping children safe.
"The Alannah & Madeline Foundation is so important to our Club and to young people," he said.
"It is an incredible organisation, who we are proud to have had a partnership with for well over a decade now."
"The Tiger Army's support has always been incredible, donating $2.3 million across the journey, and we know that if they can, our fans will dig deep again this weekend to help support young people and keep them safe from violence."
"Sunday's match at the MCG is a big game for the Club, and we know Richmond fans will wear their purple and make it a special day for the Alannah & Madeline Foundation and the children they support."
Richmond Football Club has supported the Alannah & Madeline Foundation since 2012, making it one of the most enduring partnerships in Australian sport.
Alannah & Madeline Foundation CEO, Sarah Davies AM, said the generosity of Richmond Football Club and the Tiger Army is remarkable.
"Each year, the Tiger Army brings enormous passion and purpose to our work. This year, we are asking supporters once again to Be Their Buddy and help children in crisis know they are not alone," Ms Davies said.
Supporters can get behind Richmond Football Club and be a Buddy by donating to help a vulnerable child begin their healing and recovery journey.
Just $58 can help provide a Buddy Bag for a child who has been removed from a violent home and forced to leave everything behind.
One Buddy Bag can mean the world for a child in crisis.
Support the Foundation by purchasing limited-edition merchandise on game day, signing up for a special Alannah & Madeline Foundation membership or donating at: www.alannahandmadeline.org.au/Richmond
About us:
About the Alannah & Madeline Foundation
The Alannah & Madeline Foundation was founded 29 years ago by Walter Mikac AM, and a small group of volunteers in memory of Walter's young daughters Alannah and Madeline, aged just six and three, who tragically lost their lives along with their mother and 32 others at Port Arthur in Tasmania on 28 April 1996. The Foundation was established with the belief that "all children and young people should be able to live a happy and safe life, free from violence and trauma." Our mission continues today through our Care, Prevention and Advocacy programs – we fight for their right to be safe, so their future is strong. www.alannahandmadeline.org.au
