Pictured: Dragons Mitch Rein (left) Ben Creagh and Jack de Belin with boardriders Billie Melinz and Grace Agnew. Credit: GREG ELLIS
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The Scarborough Boardriders Club has enlisted the support of St George Illawarra Dragons to help raise funds and awareness for the Joanne Mackay Breast Cancer Foundation.
Scarborough Boardriders president Christian De Cloute said the club's 180 members, including young surfers Billie Melinz and Grace Agnew, would get the chance to help raise money for the foundation after it was nominated as the chosen charity for the club's point score competition on October 13.
Foundation fund-raising co-ordinator Anne Doyle said the idea was to not only raise money for the foundation on the day but promote October as Breast Cancer Month.
She said the club had also benefited from the willingness of St George Illawarra Dragons stars Ben Creagh, Jack de Belin and Mitch Rein to help promote the October point score event and also encourage donations on the foundation's website.
Creagh said it was the least they could do.
"I never got to meet Jo but I have met Brad [Mackay] a few times after a few games up at Kogarah," he said.
"We have kept in touch that way and I know the club supports the Joanne Mackay Breast Cancer Foundation, which is great. And it is great the Scarborough Boardriders is doing the same thing."
Creagh said the fact Mackay played for the Steelers and the Dragons was also a great connection for the players.
But most of all they were delighted to support the foundation and the wonderful work it did for Illawarra women undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
All three rugby league stars were excited to meet Billie and Grace, up-and-coming sports stars themselves.
Billie, 14, is already sponsored by Billabong.
She is NSW under 16 girls' champion and and will represent the state at the Australian titles in December.
"I was six . . . when I started to surf and I have been with the club since I was 10," she said.
"My goal is to become a pro surfer. I support this campaign because it is worth caring about. I feel sorry for all the people who have ever got breast cancer. And this is a good chance to promote the cause."
