“Melbourne is trying to ban homeless people and take them out of the city. Where are they supposed to go?”
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Sydney Roosters, NSW and Kangaroos legend Brad Fittler is hoping his Hogs for the Homeless tour will raise much-needed funds and awareness for Australia’s homelessness situation, but also that it’ll help people affected by devastating bushfires.
Organiser Badger Babbage indicated Fittler and other ex-NRL stars Nathan Hindmarsh, Josh Perry, Steve Menzies, Steve Roach, Ian Schubert and South Sydney Rabbitohs legend Tim Brasher will converge on Orange on Friday, as they make their way through the central west leg of the tour.
They’ll host a come and try clinic at Waratahs Sportsground from 4.30pm-5.30pm, before a dinner at Duntryleague Golf Club from 6.30pm.
All in the name of raising money for Father Chris Riley’s Youth off the Streets program, along with awareness for the issue itself which Fittler said, since the tour was established five years ago, has become far worse.
“The problem is only going to get worse. Men’s shelters have been closed down so people have less places to go but we don’t make gambling or drinking illegal, and drugs are easy to get hold of,” Fittler explained.
“Melbourne is trying to get ban homeless people and take them out of the city. Where are they supposed to go?”
“But I guess it is a case of out of sight, out of mind. The key to all our messages is just to be grateful. Be part of a club, whether it is footy, chess or anything, but get out and enjoy it.
“Every kid we meet gets a football and we hope it can make a difference.”
The come and try clinic is open to the public, as is the dinner, although the latter is $50 a head. Call 6362 3466 to book tickets.
“We’re really excited to get out that way. A lot of people have been hit hard by the weather and the fires. If we can help out and put some smiles on the faces of kids, that would be great,” Fittler said.
“We’d love to see everyone come out and buy some raffle tickets, it’s for a great cause.
After their time in Orange, Fittler and his fellow riders will head to Dubbo and then Walgett for a special project.
The town’s No.1 Oval will be completely resurfaced thanks to Hogs for the Homeless and a number of assisting businesses.
“Evergreen Turf, who do the surfaces at Allianz Stadium and ANZ Stadium will be doing it and it will be a big deal with the Footy Show being on site,” Fittler said.
“It will be like a brand new footy field for those guys, which is great for them.”