What is the AFL's Community Relief Fund?
The Community Relief Fund has been set up by the AFL to support local communities in fire-affected areas by helping to repair and rebuild their local football clubs. It is hoped that this will help footballing families within impacted communities around the country.
How much has been donated so far?
The AFL, its players and all 18 clubs have so far donated a combined $2.5 million to communities affected by bushfire damage. The AFL has contributed $1.35 million of that donation, while $900,000 has come via the help of all 18 clubs and a further $250,000 has come via the AFL Players' Association's charity fund AFL Players Care.
Where will the money raised be used?
A donation of $1 million has already been made to immediate relief efforts on the ground via the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery fund. A further $1.5 million has also been donated towards the Community Relief Fund, set up by the AFL. All money raised via further initiatives, including online auctions and the upcoming AFLW and State of Origin for Bushfire Relief double-header will go towards the Community Relief Fund.
How can I donate?
You can donate directly to the Community Relief Fund via this link. You can also donate to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery fund here. For more information, please visit afl.com.au/bushfire-relief.
What other fundraising initiatives are happening?
A series of further initiatives will also help raise money and awareness for the Community Relief Fund. A double-header on Friday, February 28 will see the NAB AFL Women's clash between Collingwood and Melbourne (5.40pm AEDT) followed by the State of Origin for Bushfire Relief clash between Victoria and the All-Stars (7.50pm AEDT) at Marvel Stadium. Tickets will start at $10 for juniors and $20 for adults and will go on sale on Tuesday, January 21 at 12.00pm AEDT. All proceeds will go directly to the Community Relief Fund.
Match experiences will be provided to firefighters, emergency services personnel and volunteers, while an additional series of packages will be auctioned to raise money for the Community Relief Fund. These include watching the match from the interchange bench and the coaches' box, running drinks for each team and attending team dinners before the match. All tickets to the clash can be purchased via Ticketmaster or afl.com.au/bushfire-relief, while all online auctions are available via afl.com.au/bushfire-relief.
