Dale Morris is an integral member of the Western Bulldogs’ family, so when his brother Dean lost his house in the Darraweit Guim bush fires, those at the kennel were quick to rally around him. 

Dean, his wife Alicia and two children had their world turned upside down last week, when a phone call confirmed the bush fires were encroaching on their small town north of Melbourne.

“We got a phone call from Dale and he had heard an alert that there was a fire close by near our town – which is only about 200 houses,” Dean Morris said.

“By the time I got there, there were already road blocks in and the fire had already reached our town, so we couldn’t get in to get any valuables.

“All we had were shorts for swimming, towels and a couple of chairs and that is about it – so that is all we were left with, my car was there as well.

“We were pretty much helpless and couldn’t do anything, it is one of the worst feelings you could probably go through – worst thing I’ve gone through ever.”

All levels of the Club – including staff members from the football department, administration and board— made a financial contribution to support the Morris family, as well as donating a range of Club merchandise, toys and other necessities.

The family were also invited to the kennel to meet the playing group, with the two children receiving a signed guernsey from the Bulldogs.

“We certainly didn’t expect it when my brother mentioned the Club might be doing something, we were just gobsmacked, speechless,” he said.

“It’s been fantastic what they have been able to do and we will never forget it.

“You just can’t thank the Club and the players enough.”

Dean said he was overwhelmed by the support from the Bulldogs and the local community and was very grateful as his young family begin to move on and rebuild their life.

“We are just getting people that we never expected helping out and we would have never asked either,” he said.

“It’s unbelievable just the support we’ve got and we will never forget it.”