The Men of League Foundation has just announced its milestone achievement of $500,000 spent on wellbeing support to the rugby league community over the first seven and a half months of this calendar year.
The 2018 Annual Gala Dinner at the Westin Hotel on Wednesday 15th August also saw the 1989 Grand Final between Canberra and Balmain unveiled as rugby league’s Greatest Grand Final, as voted by the general public.
The announcement of the half million-dollar mark on its wellbeing programs put the icing on the cake for a fantastic evening, with over 400 attendees celebrating the charity event which raises funds for those in the rugby league community who are experiencing hardship.
Men of League Foundation National Wellbeing Manager, Jessica Macartney, said that reaching the milestone with over four months of the year remaining is something everyone involved in the Foundation can be extremely proud of.
“That is half a million dollars’ worth of medical equipment, utility bills, car modifications, food and fuel for those within the rugby league community experiencing hardship. But more importantly the Men of League Foundation has provided hope and support to rugby league families in times of real distress and need,” said Macartney.
“Although this is something to be tremendously proud of, we know that the job is not done yet. There are always more people to help and we can’t do it without the rugby league community’s support.”
Men of League Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Lowndes, also congratulated the rugby league community for their extensive support of the Foundation’s cause.
“The Annual Gala Dinner has once again proven why it is a signature event on the rugby league community’s social calendar.
“The 1989 Grand Final between Canberra and Balmain took out the coveted
Greatest Grand Final, as guests were treated to exclusive insights from Balmain legend,
Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach,” said Lowndes.
“As well as the unveiling of the Greatest Grand Final, the Gala Dinner highlighted the outstanding work which has been carried out by our incredible volunteers, as well as announcing the incredible achievement of $500,000 distributed to the men, women and children of the rugby league community in 2018.
“It has been a tremendous year thus far for the Men of League Foundation and we are excited by the opportunities that lay ahead for the rest of 2018 and beyond,” Lowndes concluded.