What started as a run-of-the-mill footy mates’ trip has ended in three Northern Beaches locals raising over $10,000 for mental health.
Northern Beaches locals Gavin Clark, Simon Clancy and Jon Kavwenje have football in their veins.
So, it was no surprise they hatched a plan to drive down to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Gavin’s new Ford Ute for a pre-season clash between two English Premier League heavyweights.
But out of that plan came another bright idea –why not tie in the trip with some fundraising for a worthy local mental health charity?
“This was initially just going to be a boys’ trip down to Melbourne (to watch the Crystal Palace-Manchester United game),” Gavin tells Peninsula Living on a frigid midweek evening at Melwood Oval.
“I’ve been a Crystal Palace fan since I was born. I grew up in London and went to Palace games as a young kid.
“Simon came up with the idea that if we’re driving down, we should try to raise some money.”
“The thing that has really impressed me is how the community has come together.”
Simon Clancy, Northern Beaches Local
Attention then turned to finding a second concept to base the fundraising on. A community charity football match was conceived, as well as the ambitious target of raising $10,000.
The football fanatics weren’t 100 per cent confident that it was an achievable mark, but they decided it was worth aiming high.
They were absolutely sure, however, about the decision to make Brookvale-based Gotcha4Life their charity partner.
“I think COVID really opened up a lot of people’s eyes about mental health,” Gavin explains.
“I’m a local business owner and the lockdowns really hit me and the business hard, and it definitely started to affect my own mental health.
“Partnering with Gotcha4Life allows us to start an important conversation.”
Through their contacts they managed to recruit A-League referee Stephen Lucas to officiate the match.
Ex-Socceroo and Northern Beaches local Robbie Slater, who now works in football media, was also set to play in the game, but was unfortunately unable to make an appearance.
Despite some initial trepidation about reaching their fundraising target, the $10,000 goal was met before a ball was even kicked at Melwood Oval.
QR codes that sent fans to the donation page could be found around the ground, and – importantly – at the sausage sizzle stand. In all, more than $1000 was raised on the night.
“The thing that has really impressed me is how the community has come together,” Simon says.
Peninsula locals Simon Clancy, Jon Kavwenje and Gavin Clark (left to right) have raised more than $10,000 for mental health charity Gotcha4Life.
A-League referee, Stephen Lucas, graciously agreed to referee the charity match.
“Businesses, individuals, everyone has been fantastic. It’s been such an easy event to organise. Everyone has approached us and said, ‘What can I do?’”
Gavin was in great spirits when Peninsula Living spoke to him as he was making the final preparations for the trip down to chilly Victoria.
“Just packing the car and getting ready for the drive down to Melbourne tomorrow,” he says.
“We’re so happy with the result, raising another $1000 last night. It was a great night, and we got the whole community together.
“It was a huge team effort, from the players, people running the barbecue, all the volunteers.
“We can’t thank everyone enough and we hope to do it all again next year.”
There’s more to come from the partnership with Gotcha4Life, with plans being made to run the charity football match on a yearly basis.
“The work Gotcha4Life is doing is so important,” Gavin concludes.