Bermagui mates Sam O’Connor, Jack Corcoran raise money running to AFL grand final

Two Bermagui mates are running more than 600km to the MCG in time for the AFL grand final, all to raise money and awareness for a common injury.

Sam O'Connor [left] and Jack Corcoran [right] are running for Bermagui to the MCG.

A high school teacher and local electrician from Bermagui are making the on-foot trip of a lifetime, walking, jogging and running more than 650km to the AFL grand final in a bid to raise thousands for a concussion charity.

Best mates Sam O’Connor and Jack Corcoran are already five days and hundreds of kilometres deep into their exhausting run to the Melbourne Cricket Grounds (MCG) in time for the AFL grand final between the Sydney Swans and the Brisbane Lions on Saturday.

The duo, who told this publication they were blistered and sore, are completing the run to raise money for the Connectivity Traumatic Brain Injury Australia.

As of Thursday, the mates had raised more than $9400 for the Australian charity.

Mr O’Connor and Mr Corcoran said they were completing the massive run for a few reasons.

The boys have been running for five days.

“One is to go and see the grand final and Katy Perry at the halftime show,” Mr O’Connor laughed.

“The other is to test ourselves and the most important part is to raise awareness and some money for a cause that’s has affected both Jack and myself.”

The duo have been documenting the run on social media.

Mr O’Connor revealed they had both suffered concussions in the past as a result of AFL, playing for their local Bermagui team.

He said the run was to raise awareness for the common injury that not many people knew about.

Having raised more than $9400 with a $10,000 goal, Mr O’Connor said he was “blown away” by the community support.

“The money raised so far is incredible,” he said.

Sam O'Connor [right] and Jack Corcoran [left] have raised more than $9000.

“Five days in and just over 300km on foot surprisingly the body’s are holding up pretty well.

“A couple of blisters and swollen ankles but nothing to stop us yet.”

The Bermagui community have rallied behind the young duo, labelling them “absolute legends”.

“You are amazing,” friend of the pair Adrianne Moloney said on social media.

“Massive effort, hats off,” Raff Dickson posted.

Mr O’Connor said he was humbled by the support the pair were receiving.

“We want to reach out and send a massive thank you to the local community and the wider community for coming all together and backing us,” he said.

The boys are expected to arrive at the MCG by Saturday afternoon in time for the big game.

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Originally published as Bermagui mates Sam O’Connor, Jack Corcoran raise money running to AFL grand final