There were more than 1000 children supporting every Western Bulldogs mark, kick and goal at the MCG today as part of LeasePlan’s Carn the Kids Mega Match visit.
Children and their carers from Variety, the Royal Children’s Hospital, Create (a Foster care program) and the Refugee Minor Program were located in two bays within the Bulldogs members’ area in the Olympic Stand to cheer on the dogs.
Everyone received a showbag full of goodies and were also visited by Bulldogs players Shaun Higgins, Malcolm Lynch, Josh Hill and Jarrod Harbrow before the game. Face painters and balloon artists also helped bring a smile to the youngsters’ faces.
The day was made even for special for 11-year old Dylan Anderson who tossed the coin in the middle of the MCG before the game, while nine year old Noah Wright was given the honour of running out with Captain Brad Johnson and the rest of his Bulldog idols as club mascot for the day. Both children were guests of children’s charity Variety.
Supported by the Western Bulldogs and LeasePlan, the Carn the Kids Program has seen more than 11,000 children nationally attend AFL games over the past six years.
Children and their carers from Variety, the Royal Children’s Hospital, Create (a Foster care program) and the Refugee Minor Program were located in two bays within the Bulldogs members’ area in the Olympic Stand to cheer on the dogs.
Everyone received a showbag full of goodies and were also visited by Bulldogs players Shaun Higgins, Malcolm Lynch, Josh Hill and Jarrod Harbrow before the game. Face painters and balloon artists also helped bring a smile to the youngsters’ faces.
The day was made even for special for 11-year old Dylan Anderson who tossed the coin in the middle of the MCG before the game, while nine year old Noah Wright was given the honour of running out with Captain Brad Johnson and the rest of his Bulldog idols as club mascot for the day. Both children were guests of children’s charity Variety.
Supported by the Western Bulldogs and LeasePlan, the Carn the Kids Program has seen more than 11,000 children nationally attend AFL games over the past six years.
Western Bulldogs President, David Smorgon, said the program gives children the chance to go to the football when they might otherwise not have the opportunity.
"We are proud to be involved in this fantastic project through our partnership with LeasePlan who have been a wonderful major sponsor to the Western Bulldogs for six years,” Smorgon said.
“We are the community club of the AFL and it is programs such as this that make our Club the great Melbourne Club that it is.”
LeasePlan Managing Director, Spiro Haralambopoulous, said the program had grown significantly since its inception.
“Everyone at LeasePlan is extremely proud to have started a simple program back in 2003 called Carn The Kids. Since then we have positively reached over 11,000 children and their carers,” he said.
“Each year our staff donate their time to engage with these special kids and appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this community program. They leave with many emotional memories and new friends”.
The children, their carers and family members left the MCG with a smile after the Bulldogs beat the Lions in what was the perfect way to end a day at the football.
“Each year our staff donate their time to engage with these special kids and appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this community program. They leave with many emotional memories and new friends”.
The children, their carers and family members left the MCG with a smile after the Bulldogs beat the Lions in what was the perfect way to end a day at the football.
