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Fremantle football rivals unite for Kai Eardley Fund

Leah RobertsFremantle Gazette

THE Kai Eardley Fund (KEF) is determined to turn a tragedy into positive change.

Together with Bicton MLA Lisa O’Malley, KEF will be raising funds and awareness for suicide prevention in men through The Kai Fella Cup, a charity football match and dinner between rival amateur football clubs CBC Amateur FC and North Fremantle FC.

Kai Eardley was just 20-years-old when he took his own life in 2016.

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His girlfriend Jasmyn Burnett said the idea for the Kai Fella Cup was born from bringing the three football clubs Kai had played for together in a fundraiser.

Mark Stewart (EFFC) Jasmyn Burnett (KEF), Claire Eardley (KEF), Lisa O’Malley MLA – Member for Bicton.
Camera IconMark Stewart (EFFC) Jasmyn Burnett (KEF), Claire Eardley (KEF), Lisa O’Malley MLA – Member for Bicton. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

“The conversation started in 2017 when Lisa O’Malley met the KEF founder and Kai’s mother, Claire and myself at an East Fremantle football game,” she said.

“At that time the clubs were in different grades, Lisa and I both thought it would be fantastic to celebrate them being back in the same grade for the first time in four years.

“The clubs and East Fremantle Football Club have all eagerly supported the idea.”

Miss Burnett said 300 people were expected to attend the dinner, with live music by Courtney Murphy and guest speakers including Deputy Premier Roger Cook and a participant of the Tomorrow Man workshops.

“In WA the leading cause of death for those aged 15-44 is suicide; and 75 per cent of suicides in WA are men – this is an opportunity to invest in an organisation that makes real change,” she said.

“Tomorrow Man workshops provide the opportunity for young men to come together to talk openly, support one another and learn valuable coping skills.”

The dinner will be held on Friday March 29 from 6.30pm at the East Fremantle Football Club to buy tickets head to https://bit.ly/2J4IHO4.