Bulldogs supporter John Mercer recently won the Western Bulldogs Cheer Squad raffle with the prize being a trip to Canberra to watch the Dogs take on the Swans. Mercer generously donated the prize to Les Twentymen’s 20th Man Fund who in turn passed it on to 20th Man Elite Sports Scholarship Holder Gum Mamur and his mate James Munro.
Gum is currently completing his Year 12 at Taylors Lakes Secondary College and jumped at the chance to see the Bulldogs in Canberra.
“Me and my mate received a call from Jim Marcovski and Les asking us if we wanted to go to Canberra and watch the dogs with a free hotel accommodation for the weekend. It was a great opportunity so we took it because we are crazy Bulldogs supporters. It was also another chance for us to use our Members tickets outside of Victoria, check out Canberra and get a break from VCE,” Gum said.
Gum relished the experience and even helped hold up the banner as the players entered the field.
Having fled war torn Sudan with his mother, two brothers and three sisters, Gum is a recent convert to AFL football.
“My family moved to Kenya and lived in a refugee camp before we moved to Australia. I really like the game because of how tough it is, I find it fun to watch,” Gum said.
And following his first interstate trip with the team, Gum says plans to continue following his beloved Bulldogs.
“Yes I will keep going every chance I get, I don’t plan to stop going to games anytime soon. Watching the Bulldogs on tv or at the stadium is a part of my weekends now...or should I say part of our weekends ,” Gum said.
