Stefan Mauk and Ben Garuccio are helping raise funds for Adelaide United charity partner Foodbank
Despite Adelaide United’s Stefan Mauk being kept “in the dark” about his career future, he and a former Reds player have still found time to help those in need during the coronavirus pandemic.
Adelaide United
Don't miss out on the headlines from Adelaide United. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Reds not told to self-isolate – just yet
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
As the coronavirus pandemic forces mass unemployment, Adelaide United’s Stefan Mauk and ex-Reds player Ben Garuccio hatched a plan to ensure a basic life necessity continues to be delivered to those suffering hardest.
The pair decided to make good use of the downtime, which has seen the A-League and Scottish premiership postponed, as both their football careers are in a holding pattern.
Mauk, 24, and Garuccio, 24, setting off on a half marathon – 21km – on Sunday armed with smartphone Facetime apps to track each other’s progress instigated food for thought despite being about 750km apart.
Hi everyone! Staying isolated is very important for containing #COVID-19 but staying active will keep your mind and body healthy too. @bengaruccio and I ran a half marathon today while on FaceTime to each other. We decided to start a new challenge and 1/2 pic.twitter.com/ZpjVTZHEM0
— Stefan Mauk (@StefanMauk) March 29, 2020
Garuccio is currently in Melbourne after recently returning from Scotland where he is contracted to Heart of Midlothian, which from April 1 will suspend all salaries due to the crisis.
Mauk and Garuccio donated $10 for every kilometre they ran to Foodbank – 42km for $420 in total – and now their scheme has attracted action from members of the soccer community
“As we were running we thought we should try and plan and link it in with the Foodbank charity,’’ Mauk said.
“That’s how we came up with it, obviously knowing that people are struggling to be able to provide food for families or not being able to get food for their families or whatever it may be.
“Knowing Adelaide United has the link with them it was the best one to do.
“People can run and post how many kilometres they have done and go onto the Foodbank website and onto their donations page.”
MORE NEWS
Adelaide United maintains it has no case to answer in Opseth transfer saga
Mauk said assistant Socceroos coach, Adelaide City legend Tony Vidmar has also shared the joy of donating to Foodbank after a run on Monday night.
And Mauk says making a difference to people in need has lifted his spirits in uncertain times.
His act of selfless devotion is a distraction, saying his own career is uncertain.
“Everybody is in the dark,” Mauk said.
“The PFA (players union) has been a massive help for players, especially with the programs that have available for us, but in terms of the other stuff a lot of players aren’t sure what’s going on.
“I think it’s with every industry, everyone is in the dark, we know it’s a challenging time.
“We’re sitting and training to be good members and good employees at Adelaide United.”
Foodbank is Australia’s largest food relief organisation.