Dees to carry Red Cross

MELBOURNE will extend its support of the victims of Victoria's devastating bushfires by wearing the Red Cross logo on its guernsey in its NAB Cup match against Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium on Saturday.

Yet to lock in a major sponsor for the 2009 season, the Demons will sport the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal motif and phone number on the left breast of the guernsey – where a sponsor logo normally appears.

The Red Cross website address will be featured on the back.

The guernseys will then be auctioned off at melbournefc.com.au, with all proceeds going to the appeal.

Melbourne president Jim Stynes said the Victorian bushfires were a tragedy that had touched all Australians and had echoed around the world.

"Ours is only a small gesture, but we can direct our unique position of not having a major sponsor to supporting all those people and communities affected," he said in a statement released by the club.