The 20th anniversary of the Starlight Purple Haze Game will once again be supported by South32, with Fremantle scheduling the annual event for their Saturday night clash against GWS on 9 April.
South32 have pledged to match every donation from Fremantle members and supporters for the game, up to $50,000, in support of seriously ill children and their families.
The announcement comes as Fremantle gets behind Club legend Aaron Sandilands and his team for their Starlight fundraiser for Saturday’s South32 Rottnest Channel Swim.
Sandilands and his family are raising much needed funds for Starlight as a thank you for their support of Sandilands’ eight-year-old daughter Sloane, who became critically unwell and was hospitalised in 2021.
The Club have donated $5,000 to the cause, which has now raised more than $90,000. Click here to donate and read Sloane’s story.
Sandilands will skipper the boat for a swim team consisting of former teammates Shaun McManus and Lee Spurr, as well as wife Jenny and family friend Mel.
He said his family and the whole team have been overwhelmed by everyone’s support.
“It’s just blown us away, the generosity from so many different people. It means a lot to have the Club donate as well, they do so much for Starlight on their own, but to have them throw in some money towards our fundraiser is very humbling,” Sandilands said.
“It’s been a huge team effort already to get over the $90,000 mark. ‘Shauny Mac’ has jumped on board. He’s a natural swimmer and if ‘Spurry’ swims as well as he talks, we’ll be right on the day. We’re looking forward to spending some time with each other as we get through the day.
“We’re excited to get across and Sloane is looking forward to being on the finish line watching us swim in. It will be a special day.”
Fremantle now have seven players as Starlight ambassadors in Michael Walters, Griffin Logue, Bailey Banfield, Andrew Brayshaw, Liam Henry and new additions Caleb Serong and Lloyd Meek.
Sandilands still works closely with the playing group, especially Meek, as a part-time ruck coach and both Meek and Serong approached the Club asking to become Starlight ambassadors for 2022 after seeing first-hand the impact Starlight can have.
Alongside senior coach Justin Longmuir, the ambassadors posed for a pic with Sandilands after training on Tuesday to show they were right behind the 271-game player for the swim and fundraiser.
An ambassador himself for 13-years, Sandilands had long worked with the Starlight Captains to help bring joy into the lives of young West Aussies doing it tough.
In an unfortunate twist of fate, it was then Sloane and the Sandilands family being helped by Starlight, and he said he couldn’t be more thankful for their support of Sloane through her ordeal. She remained in a wheelchair after she was discharged from hospital and has since transitioned to arm crutches as she continues her recovery.
“In my time as an ambassador, I quickly realised the impact that Starlight can have on a kid. No kid deserves to get sick and spend time in hospital, but unfortunately it’s a part of life,” Sandilands said.
“You can’t understate the impact that the Captain Starlights and the Starlight Express Room can have on the kids while they’re going through difficult times, it puts smiles on their faces and makes their day just that little bit easier. You can’t put a price on that.
“The majority of time when Sloane was in hospital, she was bedridden and wasn’t able to get around. She really enjoyed when the Starlight Captains came into her room and played games with her.
“It was as simple as card games or making animals out of balloons, having a human interaction that was focused on fun and not the medical side of things - they would be the highlight of her day. Being in hospital for so long, it was an important piece of helping her get better.”
Since 2003, Fremantle members, supporters, players and staff have raised more than $2.1 million dollars for Starlight, including a record $300,000 in 2021 in a year that honoured Freo superfan Milli and her family.
Stay tuned as Fremantle, the Starlight ambassadors, Aaron and South32 unveil some exciting promotions around the Starlight Purple Haze Game – including a specially designed jumper for the 20th anniversary!
Fremantle invite four train-on players
Worner ready to work
Clark reunites with Optus Stadium
