Like many people around the country, Fremantle member Linda Reynolds had been hit hard by the Covid-19 crisis.

Living partially on a disability pension for an autoimmune deficiency, Linda has been unable to continue her casual work, including working as an Uber driver, due to the health risks.

To make matters more difficult, her 20-year-old daughter Caprice, also a Fremantle member, had to move home after her work dried up.

Caprice works in the entertainment industry, including working at concerts and setting up the big screens for Optus Stadium game days.

With the pair living off Linda’s disability pension, Linda contacted the club in March saying she could no longer afford her 2020 membership.

Last week, she received a call from the club. A Fremantle player had covered the balance. She would get her money back and keep her 2020 membership.

“I never expected to be on the receiving end of such a generous gift, especially at a time like this,” Linda said in an email to the club.

“Why would a Dockers player pay for me, a newbie member, to maintain my membership in the strangest time in history?

“Like everyone else, I may not be able to attend the actual games this season, but I can keep my membership for 2020. All because of an anonymous player paying my membership in spite of their income being reduced.

“I’m humbled, I thank you all.”

While Caprice has been a long-term Freo fan, Linda just got on board in 2019 as a part of a challenge she set to try 10 new things that year.

And she’s completely embraced Fremantle, going as far as making a Nat Fyfe mascot (which comes with two replica Brownlow Medals) that she took to every home game, as well as her interstate trip to see Freo play the Crows in Adelaide.

While Fremantle forward Sam Switkowski had initially intended to keep the payment anonymous, at the encouragement of the club, he agreed to go on a call with Linda.

“It’s honestly my pleasure, I know how hard it is for so many people out there and I know how passionate our fans are,” Switkowski told Linda.

“When I was told your story, I thought it was the least I could do. Hopefully, we can play some footy soon and have you out there supporting.

“Take this, enjoy it. It’s a bit of a sign that Freo cares.”

Following the call, Switkowski said he took a lot from chatting to Linda and Caprice.

“You can just see the passion in them and how much it meant to them,” Switkowski said.

“They have such a great attitude at the moment even though times are tough, which I think is a great example for us all at the moment.

“I think it’s fantastic how energetic and enthusiastic they were and seeing how much it meant to them, it was fantastic.”

While Linda’s not certain when she will be able to see Fremantle in person again, she says she’s working on a new Sam Switkowski mascot that she can also take to games!