The Crows family has given Port Augusta’s young footballers a head-start on next season, donating much-needed footy boots to children in the community.
More than 50 boots were distributed to young girls and boys at an event organised by Aboriginal Family Support Services.
Riley Thilthorpe, Tariek Newchurch, Taylor Walker and Brayden Cook joined Crows staff to distribute the boots, as well as Crows merchandise donated by the Club.
Players also joined children in a community colour run.
The Boots for Boxes campaign is a joint initiative of the Adelaide Crows Foundation and Treasure Boxes.
It aims to offer South Australian children equal opportunities to participate in sport and its benefits, by repurposing football and soccer boots for kids and teens without access.
Adelaide Crows Foundation Manager Louise McDonald said the Crows community had gone above and beyond to support the campaign.
“We gathered several wheelie bins of boots at our Round 23 game but, since then, we have had schools and football clubs from across the state reach out with their own donations,” McDonald said.
“There were all different colours and sizes, and the kids today loved being able to choose the ones they really like.
“I think next season can’t come quick enough for some of these kids – they were so keen to pull on the boots and run around."
McDonald said the players, who are currently on annual leave and donated their time to join Club staff in Port Augusta, made the day even more special.
“I think every child there went home with something signed - be that a hat, poster or guernsey," McDonald said.
“Tariek (Newchurch) is from Port Augusta and you could see how much it meant to the community to have him come home as a role model for the other kids and give back."
Boots of all sizes in a wearable condition can still be donated at Treasure Boxes’s Edwardstown facility - https://www.treasureboxes.org.au/contact-us/
Contributions can also be made via the Adelaide Crows Foundation donation page. https://community.afc.com.au/DonationCampaign/3282a575-f832-eb11-a813-000d3a799888
