At the conclusion of the Round 21 WNBL match on Friday night, Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness and its supporters donated $7000 to the Bendigo Bank Bushfire Appeal.
In the face of the growing millions of dollars donated to the Red Cross, it was a relative small sum of money, but one that touched Kristi Harrower, Opal and Captain of the Bendigo Spirit, as she accepted the gift on behalf of the Bendigo community.
The $7000 donation comprised a $2000 donation from Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness (SUSF) – including money raised from all casual revenue collected at their 3 on-campus fitness facility that Friday and all revenue from the ACUVUE Sydney Uni Flames game. A stunning thousand dollars was also donated from patrons within the stadium on Friday night.
This contribution was bolstered by the backing of The University of Sydney, who contributed $2000 and by the support of ACUVUE (Johnson & Johnson Vision Care), who also donated $2000.
Johnson & Johnson Australia had already given generously to the Victorian Bushfires Appeal, donating over $500 000. Their Friday night donation went above and beyond, as a spontaneous gesture specifically towards the Bendigo community.
Kristi Harrower’s emotional acceptance speech on behalf of the Bendigo community touched all those in attendance.
Former Opals Captain and now Sydney Uni Flames spokesperson, Trish Fallon, said “I have known Kristi for many years, playing alongside her in 2 Olympic Games. It was very hard for me to hold back the tears when Kristi made a very emotional speech at the end of our game. I really felt her emotion, as did everyone at the game, and you can only imagine how hard it must be when this team have been directly affected by these tragic bushfires”
“I hope this gesture can provide some relief to the Bendigo Community in helping rebuild their lives,” said Fallon.
