Manly Allambie FC Raise Double the Amount for McGrath Foundation

They didn?t do so. Instead they doubled that amount.

The highlight of the day was the Premier League First Grade showdown between Manly Allambie FC vs. Brookvale FC; however the day featured so much more than just the match. Giant pink slides, jumping castles, face painting and creative sand art were set up for the kids while stalls were available for adults to purchase pink merchandise which became a hit for the 500 plus crowd in attendance.
Even the food wasn?t spared, as fairly floss, lady apples, finger buns and cupcakes were all dressed in pink.
The match between Manly Allambie and Brookvale finished 2-2, with the hosts leading 2-0 at the break.
Allambie FC Reserves and First Grade boss, Dave Bonney, said that although the day was very ?hectic? with players reporting to duty as early as 7:30am to help out, the day ?went as well as anyone could have expected.?
?I don?t think the early start affected the players too much; I think Brookvale are a very good side and were able to come back after half time,? said Bonney.
He also congratulated the support from Brookvale FC on the day by purchasing at least $800 in caps and other merchandise to help support the foundation.
?They [Brookvale FC] were fantastic? said Bonney, ?the wives, girlfriends and mothers from Brookvale FC helped by contributing sweets and pastries which sold very well and went towards the McGrath Foundation.?
Andrew Chryssavgis, one of the master heads behind the whole operation, said the weather was simply ?amazing? and the day was a major ?success.?
?Although we didn?t see Mark Bosnich or the Sydney FC players due to club commitments, the entire day was very fun,? said Andrew.
?It was wonderful to see people from the community come to the game and give their support.
?The feedback has been very positive and the club will be sending a cheque for over $21,000 to the McGrath Foundation this week,? added Andrew.
The McGrath Foundation which is co-founded by the late Jane McGrath and Glenn McGrath raises funds to provide breast care nurses for rural and regional areas in Australia.
The shirts were sponsored by Pink Finances who provide a percentage of all their funds towards the McGrath Foundation.
Manly Allambie FC recognises those who helped make the day such a success and wishes to thank the following short list: The organizing committee, Love Football, Pink Finances, Headland Press, the Manly Junior Sea Birds, Brookvale FC, Cathy Anton and the McGrath Foundation itself.
A range of prizes were distributed including a first place prize of a $500 voucher to spend on dining, entertainment and/or adventure travels. A pink shirt signed by Socceroo star Lucal Neil and a separate fully autographed Sydney FC outfit is yet to be auctioned by the club with the additional money going straight to the foundation.
Kylea Tink, Managing Director at the McGrath Foundation believes people today are looking for ?easy interactive? ways to help charities and the pink football match was spot on in doing just that.
?Allambie FC made it so easy for people to join in and contribute funds as the whole park was decorated in pink? said Tink.
?I would have to say that with their [Allambie FC] pink shirts, they were the best looking footballers I had ever seen.
 ?Our objective is to place more nurses throughout rural Australia and create breast cancer awareness to young women,? she said.
This time last year, the McGrath Foundation had eight nurses and now they have 53 working throughout the nation.
?It is these types of funds which allow the McGrath Foundation to grow and help pay nurses and educate women under 40 about breast cancer,? said Tink.
?We want to thank Allambie FC and everyone who took part on the day; it was nothing short of an extraordinary effort,? she added.
-By Caetano Lima