The #NEWYHelps campaign is once again illustrating the ways that football can be used to bring a community together.
Led by the Newcastle Jets’ die-hard fan group, Squadron Novocastria, the initiative is raising funds for two causes and after just two weeks has reached its first target.
$2500 has already been raised for Ronald McDonald House, donations that will see a different RMH family attend each Newcastle Jets home match with seating costs fully covered in Hunter Stadium’s open-air box.
“It was really surprising and really humbling that the community has gotten on board, we are really grateful that people have supported what we think is a beneficial campaign for two great causes,” said Squadron Novocastria senior representative Grant Furner.
In the wake of a tumultuous 2014-15 campaign which saw the Jets’ license ultimately taken-over by the FFA, a feeling of revitalisation around the club, plus help from a fellow supporter’s group paved the way for #NEWYHelps.
“The Yellow Fever and the Squadron have a good relationship, they had run a similar campaign that was successful the previous season [FEVERDreams],” explains Furner.
“I stayed at Ronald McDonald House myself for a month, so it was something that sort of inspired me.
“We want them to have some time off and to enjoy the football.”
With the first goal of the campaign comfortably fulfilled, #NEWYhelps will begin raising funds for Sam’s Fund for SUDEP (Sudden Unexplained Death due to Epilepsy), established in the memory of late Squadron member Sam Taylor, who passed away earlier this year at the age of 23.
“We are looking to raise at least $1000 [more], but realistically as much money as possible will be donated to Sam’s Fund”
The #NEWYHelps campaign is set to run for another two weeks, with all contributors entering a raffle to be drawn after the Newcastle Jets vs Melbourne City game on the 13th of December.
Further information can be found at http://www.newcastlefootball.net/home/newyhelps/
Follow the Squadron Novocastria Supporter’s group on Facebook and Twitter
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