NSW bushfires: Ellie Brush, Ally Green urge fans to attend Sydney FC fundraiser
Sydney FC have joined the rush to help fire and drought victims with one player especially passionate after seeing the devastation first hand over Christmas.
Northern District Times
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern District Times. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Sydney FC player Ellie Brush was lucky she had to cut short a trip to see family on the NSW south coast over Christmas to get back to Sydney for training.
The former AFLW star, who returned to football this season, left Batemans Bay where she had spent time with extended family at Christmas on December 27.
“We were lucky to get out. The highway closed a couple of hours after we left,’’ Brush said.
“Even then it was awful. At Lake Conjola we saw plumes of smoke, burnt out stretches of road. Two hours later and we would have been stuck.
“We saw water bombers and helicopters. It was really scary - and we were leaving the area.’’
NRL STAR: ‘People were in tears, they had broken down’
HUMBLE: NRL gun’s best ever present
HAZARDOUS: Rowers, footballers relocate to escape smoke
Her personal experience and close ties to the NSW south coast devastated by bushfire has Brush hoping Sydney FC can attract a record season crowd to their match at Leichhardt Oval on January 16 against Brisbane Roar .
The W-League clash is doubling as a fundraiser for fire and drought relief.
“It’s a great ground so hopefully we can have great local support,’’ said Brush, who lives in the inner west and works as a physiotherapist in aged care at Ryde.
“My mum was born in Moruya in Batemans Bay so we have a lot of extended family down there.
“I stayed at my aunty and uncle’s who have a few times since then been evacuated. They are so lucky to have their houses saved.
WORLD CUP: Ash Gardner bowled over by support
“ I have another aunty who is a volunteer firefighter at Potato Point near Narooma.
“They have been extremely lucky their little town has been saved.’’
NSW soccer clubs in the A-League and W-League are kicking in to help raise money for victims of the recent bushfires and drought.
The January 16 match againt against Brisbane Roar will be used to raise funds to assist those impacted by recent disasters.
Northern Beaches player Ally Green said the more fans at the game the more money that will be raised.
“I have family friends who live in Wagga who has been affected by the drought and the fire and smokle so it hits close to home,’’ Green said.
“It’s a great cause and we are happy to jump aboard with all the other Australian athletes who want to help.’
At the match $2 from every ticket will go to rural aid and there will be bucket collections for donations.
Sydney FC are also planning an auction of memorabilia to raise further funds.
MORE NEWS
