JOONDALUP Giants Rugby League Club is helping Sean Manning combine his two passions.
In 2012, Manning’s 15-month-old daughter Mylee died suddenly and unexpectedly.
Since then he and his wife Melanie have been national ambassadors for Red Nose, a charity aiming to eradicate sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
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READ NOWManning, a player, coach and trainer of the year at Joondalup Giants, said he wanted to partner the club with Red Nose to help raise more awareness and funds.
“Red Nose was one of the first points of contact that my wife reached out to when we lost our little girl Mylee,” he said.
“Rugby league has been a part of my life and is now part of who I am.
“Mylee would come and watch her daddy play when she was little, alongside her big brother Chase.
“It’s not very often you get to put your two passions in the same room but with the help of the club president Sam, the Joondalup Giants committee and Rikki from Red Nose, we have been able to strike this partnership.”
As part of the partnership, the Red Nose symbol has been put on the sleeves of the Joondalup Giants’ training and playing gear.
The club also sets up a stall at each home game in Heathridge to sell Red Nose merchandise and the charity is featured in the game day booklet.
“Red Nose pledged this year to reduce the number of SUDC (sudden unexplained death in childhood) from nine a day to zero and launched its new brand from SIDS and Kids to Red Nose so it seemed a fitting time for the union to occur,” he said.
“We have set a hefty money raising target of $5000 by the end of the season.”
He said the club was honoured to be supporting “such a worthy charity”.
“We have a strong juniors side and being able to educate families in safe sleeping practices is important,” he said.
“We never want to see another family have to face the loss of a child.”
He said he hoped WA Rugby League would also take up the initiative and support Red Nose.
Charity game this Saturday
Joondalup Giants will hold an inaugural Red Nose Round charity match this Saturday at Admiral Reserve.
Players will wear special Red Nose branded socks for the fundraising game, there will be family activities and the Red Nose mascot will attend.
Gates open at 11.40am, with the main game kicking off at 3.30pm.
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