Up there Cazally: 2 footy clubs support appeal

General

Wednesday, June 22, 2005

They might be rivals on field but off field two Warrnambool & District League Football Netball Clubs are more than happy to join forces to help their local community. This week, Old Collegians Football Netball Club and Merrivale Football Netball Club have commendably joined forces to raise money for South West Healthcare's Hotline to Life Appeal.

The $470 the Warriors and Tigers made from their half-time raffles on Saturday means the Hotline to Life Appeal has, in just three weeks, hit the third-way mark.

South West Healthcare needs $20,000 to buy four Hotlines (fluid warming units) for the Emergency Departments of its Warrnambool and Camperdown Hospitals. Reasonably new technology, a Hotline can be the difference between life and death. It saves critical minutes in rapidly heating fluids (like blood for transfusions) for patients with shocking trauma, hypothermia and burns' injuries caused by car, boat, farm, sports, home and workplace accidents.

Old Collegians' President Stephen Brooks and Merrivale's President Russell Gleeson say they wanted to get involved because the Appeal's such a good cause.

Appeal Director Suzan Morey is rapt the Warriors and Tigers have come on board. Their donation means there's enough money to buy the first Hotline and the second is within sight.

The South West branch of the Chevrolet Car Club of Victoria and Swintons IGA kicked off the life-saving initiative by donating $600 and $1800 respectively. Since then generous private donations from couples and individuals, as well as a $1660 donation from the Warrnambool Old Time Country Music Group and a second donation from Swintons IGA ($1278) - have been received. Even Wendy's (Gateway Plaza) has donated a $40 ice cream cake to raffle.

If you, your family, club or workplace would like to help, South West Healthcare would LOVE to hear from you. If you want more information you can phone Suzan Morey on 5563 1442 or you can visit SWH Warrnambool Hospital cashier Sylvia Lanfranco or SWH Camperdown Hospital receptionist Jan Chapman. Donations are tax deductible.

Photo 1: Merrivale Football Club's seniors at training (under coach Adam Greene) last night. The Tigers this week donated $120 to the South West Healthcare Hotline to Life Appeal.

Photo 2: It's great to see such young kids supporting such a worthwhile cause. Old Collegians' Under 12s and coach Gary Rodgers show their enthusiasm for South West Healthcare's Hotline to Life Appeal.

Photo 3 (courtesy of the Camperdown Chronicle): Camperdown Hospital Theatre Unit Manager Nikki Delaney has been waiting for MORE THAN FIVE YEARS to get a Hotline for her community. She, Appeal Director Suzan Morey (centre) and Registered Nurse Rebecca Thompson hope the wait will soon end.

Photo 4: Coach Tony Bulls' boys, Old Collegians Under 14-and-a-halves, have this week played a part in their Club's generous donation of $350 to the South West Healthcare Appeal that will pay for desperately needed lifesaving equipment.

Incidentally, at seniors' level, Old Collegians are currently on top of the ladder with Merrivale second. The pair widely tipped to share the oval come grand final time - next meet during Round 18 on August 6; the last game before the finals.