Cobras Foundation digs deep to help a battling Adelaide Footy League club Kilburn
Kilburn Football Club, hanging on by a thread and owing a local council nearly $165,000, has been stunned by the generosity of a cross-town football club – also going through its own pain.
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One affiliate of an under-siege southern-suburbs football club has reached out
to another financially struggling club in the north to help boost its coffers.
The Cobras Foundation, a registered charity which is an offshoot but separate identity to the embattled Cove Football Club, presented Kilburn Football Club with $2000 to help towards offsetting its $165,000 debt.
The money is owed to leaseholder Port Adelaide Enfield Council as well the ATO and $58,116 to energy provider AGL.
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Councillors on Tuesday night granted Kilburn a 12-month lease extension, rejecting a recommendation from council staff to send the Chics packing from their Blair Athol Reserve home.
Cobras Foundation founder Barry Ramsey said his organisation, established in 2006 to help individuals, community groups and sporting clubs which had hit hard times, was glad to help.
“Our assistance includes helping out with medical expenses, the provision of income support, family assistance or simply a helping hand in times of need,” Ramsey said.
“We have been following Kilburn’s plight and thought we must try and help in a small way. “We continue to help clubs and people where we can.
“We do a lot of fundraising and just want to help in some way.
“If it could work out I would love to see the clubs get together to play a pre-season match where it could be used as fundraiser. Anything is possible.”
The Foundation’s charter reaches out to all areas of the metropolitan and country areas.
Kilburn finance director Danny Parks, a club member of at least 45 years and who was born one house away from the club, was floored by the unexpected support from the foundation.
“I know their club is doing it tough at the moment too, we feel their pain,’’ Parks said.
“If they are prepared to kickstart our debt reduction then any support like this from anyone like the Cobras Foundation is a fantastic and generous offer.
“Giving help to people and clubs in our situation, we are just grateful.”
Cove Football Club’s battles to stop its possible eviction from its Hallett Cove base could become clearer at next Tuesday’s Marion Council meeting.