Justin Langer reveals how and why he is part of Blake’s Army

Justin Langer reveals why he is helping promote Blake’s Army ahead of a charity golf day, featuring a who’s who of sporting stars. See which other heroes are playing.

Former Australian cricket player and coach Justin Langer will always have a place in his heart for Ballarat teenager Blake Dridan.

Blake, 15, has been battling severe aplastic anaemia, a rare disease which doesn’t allow the body to produce enough blood cells.

Diagnosed in 2016, the teenager had bone marrow failure, forcing him to have a transplant.

Bone marrow transplant recipient Blake Dridan, from Ballarat, with his father Luke. Picture: David Caird

Despite some complications on the way and countless hours in hospital, Blake is on the path to recovery, fighting hard every day to at least have some quality of life.

In response to the disease his father Luke, along with Paul Roos, Fraser Gehrig, Scott Draper, Louise Gehrig and four other Ballarat resident set up the Blake’s Army Ltd charity.

The charity raises money to help support the Maddie Riewoldt‘s Vision foundation in its quest to find a cure to all bone marrow failure syndromes and to support families of those who suffer bone marrow failure.

Maddie Riewoldt, who is the sister of Nick Riewoldt and the cousin of Jack Riewoldt, died at the age of 26 with the disease.

Blake Dridan with Nick Riewoldt. Reiwoldt's sister, Maddie, died aged 26 of bone marrow failure syndrome. Blake, who also suffered from BMFS, is the face of his family's charity to raise money for medical research. Picture: Supplied

Blake’s Army also offers a platform, led by Roos, to reward and recognise some of Australia’s most critical community based volunteers, front line workers and blood donors.

They aim to raise much needed awareness of these organisations and incentivise new recruits by offering them a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn from, work alongside and celebrate with the sporting icons joining Roos in the delivery of the program.

Langer said from the moment he met Blake and found out about the army, he knew he had to get involved.

“I met Blake a number of years ago when I was still coaching Western Australia,” he said.

“He came down to the MCG and obviously loved his cricket and we had him involved down there.

“It was a nice introduction and it was great to see a young guy who had been feeling so unwell to be meeting his heroes.

“It has just grown from there.”

Langer, for more than 20 years, has been involved in helping children with cancer.

He has been involved with the Children’s Leukaemia & Cancer Research Foundation in Western Australia becoming involved while he was still playing cricket for Australia and Western Australia.

So helping Blake and his army was an easy decision.

“I’ve been very lucky to have four healthy children,” Langer said.

“I never take it for granted because I see how it affects so many other people.

“There are some amazing causes out there that are researching kids cancer.

“So anything that you can do to help them, so less kids have to go through it, the better.”

Langer said, as a parent, all he wants is to help other parents who are begging for their child to make full recoveries.

“One thing I know, meeting Luke as well, you always see it in the parent’s eyes,” he said.

“The look in the parents and siblings eyes, it gets tattooed in your eyes, this helpless look they will do anything for their children.

“They’ll do anything to try to help them get better.”

To help raise funds for Blake’s Army the charity is holding a golf day on Friday, August 26 at Kew.

Langer won’t be there but is confident the event will be a success.

“Golf has this magic about it bringing mates together,” he said.

“For such a great cause, it’s fun with your mates and you are doing something that is bigger than us.

“I’m sure they’ll get a great crew there.”

Businesses will have the opportunity to book a team and play with former AFL stars Stephen Milne, Leigh Montagna, Grant Thomas, Jobe Watson, Ben Johnson, Dale Thomas, Stephen Kernahan, Luke Darcy, Fraser Gehrig, Paul Dimattina and Nathan Jones.

Boxer Joel Camilleri is also involved with former AFL player agent Ricky Nixon coming to play.

“At the end of the day we are looking to raise between $70,000 and $100,000 for the day,” Blake’s Army founder Luke Dridan said.

“There will be 30 teams playing $2500 per team to play.

“There is also a player auction where businesses can join in to recruit the celebrity player they want in their team.

“Between registrations, player auctions, raffles and the auction items, we hope to reach our fundraising target.”

The day has been organised with the help of former St Kilda and West Coast great Fraser Gehrig who said all players were happy to give their time to a worthwhile cause.

“The golf day is about a reward for those involved with the Blake’s Army,” he said.

“It’s bringing an awareness to the disease.

“The idea is about the businesses getting involved in the charity.”

There are currently a couple of team spots remaining if people want to join.

For Gehrig, who kicked 549 goals in 260 AFL matches, he’s involved to make a difference and hopefully one day eradicate this disease for good.

St Kilda great Fraser Gehrig with Blake Dridan. Picture: David Caird

“It’s really Luke being really driven (to get results), he’s involved a lot of names,” he said.

“It’s the reason it’s gathered more support and we’re always looking to get more and more support.

“I know the story and it is a heartbreaking thing.

“I’m motivated to help Luke and assist in his journey to create something special down the track.

To register interest for the golf day, email [e-mail] with your business name, golf day contact name, email and phone number.

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