Weekly Times | SOME of the biggest names in football banded together on Sunday to raise about $210,000 for the family of Otway District’s footballer Aaron “Bill” Mahoney, who died playing football last month.
The young father-of-two and partner to Emma Craddock lost his life on the football field in Gellibrand after an innocuous tackle on May 2.
Sunday’s event was sold out in 12 hours, with 730 people filling The Pier to hear from Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge, The Footy Show hosts Garry Lyon, James Brayshaw and Sam Newman, Cats great Bill Brownless and Hawthorn Brownlow medallist Shane Crawford.
Gary Lyon told the Geelong Advertiser the function represented the comradeship and support which personified football.
READ MORE: Community fills Bill’s bucket
“Footy people rally, this is what it’s all about,” he said. “We’ve all got involved because we’ve all grown up in similar environments. I’m from the country, Sam is from down here, James has kids at school here. We all understand the impact this (Mahoney’s death) has on any community.”
Hawks champ Hodge, a former Colac footballer, said he had felt compelled to throw his weight behind the fundraising event because it was “a country thing and a football thing” to want to help.
“As soon as something happens everyone bands together, it doesn’t matter if it’s a team mate or the opposition, everyone tries their best to help,” Hodge said.
Mr Mahoney’s partner Emma Craddock said she had been overwhelmed by the support of the community in the weeks since his death.
“It’s amazing how much he meant to everyone and how people care our family,” she said. “I felt sick all morning thinking about this. I feel overwhelmed by the support. It’s been so tragic.”
Ms Craddock said the event meant everyone had been able to channel their grief into doing something positive for the couple’s children, Asha and Toby.
“When they’re older, they’ll be able to understand how appreciated their dad was,’’ she said.
Donations can be deposited to the Aaron Mahoney Appeal, Westpac bank BSB 033 217, account number 331928 or posted to PO Box 41, Colac 3250.
Originally published as Hundreds fill Bill’s Bucket
