Crusader Fights for cause

Footy fans across Geraldton have been inspired to “Fight Like Maddie” and help support young people living with bone marrow failure syndromes.

Die-hard St Kilda fan Raema Rose-Spinks has led the charge in raising funds for charity organisation Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision and recently banked a donation of $1556.10.

Ms Rose-Spinks was inspired to rattle the donation tin by St Kilda star Nick Riewoldt, who lost his sister Maddie to aplastic anaemia in 2015.

With the help of several close friends, Ms Rose-Spinks enlisted the help of other football fans in Geraldton to raise the money.

“We’ve held a few fundraisers and it’s made me very happy to see the football fans who have come out to support it,” she said.

“They all support different clubs but we have a great AFL family here in Geraldton and people just love the chance to help others.”

Ms Rose-Spinks also handed over a cheque for $1697 in person to Riewoldt at a club event early last year.

Ms Rose-Spinks travelled to Victoria, where she met the club’s captain at the Saints Junction Studio launch in February.

She has no plans to slow down on the fundraising front and has another event planned to take place at Drummonds Hall on Sunday, June 11 from 10.30am.

Ms Rose-Spinks said all were welcome for a social day out.

“This event is a great way of showing people they can go out and have a good time for only a gold coin donation, which will go towards supporting a good cause,” she said.

“It’s a great distraction from everyday things. Come down, enjoy a barbecue and have a chat about the footy.”