Kincumber Colts to hold fundraiser for Central Coast footballer Matty Cooper after serious injury

After a GoFundMe campaign was set up to support Central Coast man Matty Cooper following a cardiac arrest, the local footy community is also getting behind the much-loved father of three.

Matty Cooper with his sons Joey, Cobe and Billy. Picture: Supplied

The Kincumber Colts will host a fundraiser to support club member Matty Cooper and his family after the much-loved father of three suffered a cardiac arrest episode last week that has left him with a serious brain injury.

Cooper is recovering in the ICU after he collapsed at home over the weekend.

The Colts have organised an event for Cooper, who plays in the open grade side, this Sunday at the club’s home ground MacKillop Oval.

Every dollar that Kincumber makes in the clubhouse after its first grade game against Berkeley Vale will go directly to the Cooper family.

“He’s just a very loved member of the club,” said Kincumber president Lyndon Duncan.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for Central Coast father Matty Cooper after suffering a cardiac arrest attack which has left him with a brain injury.

“Most of the boys in opens have played footy with him for years. His son is now in our under-8s and he’s always down there helping and looking after the club.

“He was the first one this year who called me and offered to help with certain things on game day – he’s just a top bloke,” he added.

“If that would have happened to me, he’d be the first one doing what we’re doing for him.”

The fundraiser is the first of two events the club has planned to support Cooper and his family, with Kincumber and Woy Woy, where Matt also played rugby league, set to host a larger fundraising event when they play against each other on August 24.

This comes after a GoFundMe page was launched to support the family financially through this difficult period. As of Thursday afternoon it had raised more than $66,000.

“I think that says a lot about Matt, he’s such a huge part of the community and always has been,” close family friend Bridget Arahill told this masthead on Wednesday.

“He’s the kind of person who’ll always chip in to support others, especially when it comes to fundraising. He really lives by his word.”

The first grade game between Kincumber and Berkeley Vale kicks off on Sunday at 3:05pm at MacKillop Oval.