Canberra Raiders: Sia Soliola had walked in distraught woman’s shoes
Raiders good Samaritan Sia Soliola reveals personal experience made him reach out and help Canberra crime victim Tess.
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NRL star Sia Soliola says he drew on personal experience when he was approached outside his Canberra home last week by a distraught local mother who had just had her car broken into.
Renowned in rugby league circles for his kind-hearted nature, Soliola’s most recent act of generosity went viral last week when 35-year-old Tess penned an open letter to the Raiders to make them aware of her recent encounter with the frizzy-haired footballer.
“When I had my first car it got stolen after two months so I really understood what she was going through at the time,” Soliola told The Daily Telegraph.
Roaming around outside his house, the rugby league hardman came across the shattered woman and took it upon himself to lend a hand.
“She was in pretty bad shape. She was in a lot of pain, not only physically but obviously mentally,” he said.
“I just happened to be at the right place at the right time and I happened to be in a position to help her out.
“I just tried to show her a little bit of support. Being a father, and having a family, you can really empathise with her.
“I think if anyone had seen the position she was in they would have done the same as what I did.”
In reality, Tess had spoken to other residents prior to Soliola.
It was the 2016 Ken Stephens Medal nominee who went out of his way to come to her aid.
Soliola drove Tess around the suburb, consoled her, and then offered her money to give the kids a treat after an emotionally draining day.
The story comes as little surprise to those who have had dealings with Canberra’s “spiritual leader”.
The veteran forward has undertaken more charity work in the past few months than the average person is lucky to achieve in a lifetime.
Early on Monday mornings, Soliola can be found at the Canberra Uniting Church serving meals to the homeless.
In June, he slept on the street in the midst of Canberra’s freezing winter as part of the Vinnies CEO Sleepout.
In October he travelled to Bega to assist drought-stricken farmers, while in February he was cheering up sick kids in the children’s ward at Wagga Hospital.
Soliola is an ambassador for Menslink, the Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics and the NRL State of Mind program.
On November 22 he’ll be shaving his locks alongside son Alesana to raise money for Kulture Break, an organisation that looks after disabled and disadvantaged kids.
Canberra skipper Jarrod Croker was full of praise for Soliola, saying it’s immeasurable what his nature brings to the squad.
“He’s just a champion bloke Sia,” Croker told The Daily Telegraph.
“His work with the community is enormous. He certainly doesn’t look for any credit but he definitely deserves it.
“He’s the type of player that everyone wants next to them on the field and on the training paddock. You’re really pushed to want to work hard when you’re with him.”
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Originally published as Canberra Raiders: Sia Soliola had walked in distraught woman’s shoes
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