Latest news with #StarlightPurpleHaze
Perth Now
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Bailey Banfield Spider-Man pledge touches hearts
Narrogin Year 4 student Nicholas Reeves is a star who is shining a light on one of the Fremantle Docker's most cherished AFL rounds, with a little help from your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man. The nine-year-old, who battled leukaemia, will toss the coin to start Sunday's clash with St Kilda in the club's 32nd annual Starlight Purple Haze game. During one of his many long stints in Perth Children's Hospital for treatment, Nicholas met his Fremantle idol, Bailey Banfield, and another popular former Docker Tom Emmett. A game of snap led to a promise that Banfield kept in round 16 last season after kicking a goal in their thrilling one-point win over the Sydney Swans at the SCG. 'Bailey and Tom asked Nicholas if they kicked a goal would he want them to do a special celebration? Well he was a bit stumped but they were playing this game of snap and the cards they were using were Marvel cards and the one that turned over was Spider-Man so that was it,' Nicholas' father Scott said. Nicholas' spirits rose when Banfield goaled and turned to the camera to give him his special Spider-Man signal. 'He was over the moon, I have never seen him smile so much. Ever. And when it made the news , well, wow,' Scott said. Now in remission, Nicholas is one of six Starlight Purple Haze Hero kids, along with Paige McKay, 7, Mateo Domazetovski, 6, Demi Sattler, 6, Luca De Groot, 4, and Grayson Pianta, 4, who will take part in the day of celebrations which raises money and shines a light on sick kids. Dockers players will wear a special Starlight jumper to capture the spirit of the occasion. Fans can pledge any dollar amount for each goal the Dockers kick during the game and sponsor South32, will match each pledge dollar for dollar, up to $50,000. Purple Haze beanies will be sold outside Gate D for $30 and inside the ground, with $15 donated directly to the foundation. Starlight wands can also be purchased for $10 inside and outside the ground. The Dockers and their fans have donated more than $3 million to the foundation. Banfield did a spiderman celebration dedicated to Nicolas last year. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian Banfield described as a privilege the small but significant role he played in bringing joy to Nicholas and his family. 'It was a great game against Sydney when the celebration happened but the biggest part was it touched Nicholas and his family which is pretty special,' he said. 'This is a round the club gets around and it it's one our club and members love as well. 'The club and the playing group, men and women, really buy in and the fans can see that. 'Above all, they are just great kids. To be able to help them out at some of the lowest ebbs of their lives, and their families as well, is pretty special.' And will there be another celebration should Banfield feel lucky enough to kick a goal against the Saints? 'Nicholas has given me another challenge. It is similar to Spider-Man with a bit of an extra twist. I'll leave it at that and we'll see how we go,' Banfield said. 'As far as degree of difficulty goes, it's going to be harder than Spider-Man so I'm going to say it's a seven or an eight out of 10.'
West Australian
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
School boy Nicholas Reeves puts Star into Star-light as Bailey Banfield makes heartwarming pledge
Narrogin Year 4 student Nicholas Reeves is a star who is shining a light on one of the Fremantle Docker's most cherished AFL rounds, with a little help from your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man. The nine-year-old, who battled leukaemia, will toss the coin to start Sunday's clash with St Kilda in the club's 32nd annual Starlight Purple Haze game. During one of his many long stints in Perth Children's Hospital for treatment, Nicholas met his Fremantle idol, Bailey Banfield, and another popular former Docker Tom Emmett. A game of snap led to a promise that Banfield kept in round 16 last season after kicking a goal in their thrilling one-point win over the Sydney Swans at the SCG. 'Bailey and Tom asked Nicholas if they kicked a goal would he want them to do a special celebration? Well he was a bit stumped but they were playing this game of snap and the cards they were using were Marvel cards and the one that turned over was Spider-Man so that was it,' Nicholas' father Scott said. Nicholas' spirits rose when Banfield goaled and turned to the camera to give him his special Spider-Man signal. 'He was over the moon, I have never seen him smile so much. Ever. And when it made the news , well, wow,' Scott said. Now in remission, Nicholas is one of six Starlight Purple Haze Hero kids, along with Paige McKay, 7, Mateo Domazetovski, 6, Demi Sattler, 6, Luca De Groot, 4, and Grayson Pianta, 4, who will take part in the day of celebrations which raises money and shines a light on sick kids. Dockers players will wear a special Starlight jumper to capture the spirit of the occasion. Fans can pledge any dollar amount for each goal the Dockers kick during the game and sponsor South32, will match each pledge dollar for dollar, up to $50,000. Purple Haze beanies will be sold outside Gate D for $30 and inside the ground, with $15 donated directly to the foundation. Starlight wands can also be purchased for $10 inside and outside the ground. The Dockers and their fans have donated more than $3 million to the foundation. Banfield described as a privilege the small but significant role he played in bringing joy to Nicholas and his family. 'It was a great game against Sydney when the celebration happened but the biggest part was it touched Nicholas and his family which is pretty special,' he said. 'This is a round the club gets around and it it's one our club and members love as well. 'The club and the playing group, men and women, really buy in and the fans can see that. 'Above all, they are just great kids. To be able to help them out at some of the lowest ebbs of their lives, and their families as well, is pretty special.' And will there be another celebration should Banfield feel lucky enough to kick a goal against the Saints? 'Nicholas has given me another challenge. It is similar to Spider-Man with a bit of an extra twist. I'll leave it at that and we'll see how we go,' Banfield said. 'As far as degree of difficulty goes, it's going to be harder than Spider-Man so I'm going to say it's a seven or an eight out of 10.'
West Australian
3 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Michael Walters: Why Fremantle Dockers Starlight game means so much to me
This week is our 23rd annual Starlight Purple Haze game, and for me, it's one of the highlights of the year. I'm one of the Dockers' nine ambassadors for the round, which has seen our club and supporters donate more than $3 million to the Starlight Children's Foundation over the years to help sick kids. Having a family of my own, I couldn't imagine what it would be like having a girl go through what these children go through, which is why I've been so drawn to helping out however I can. What we do as footballers is minuscule compared to what they go through; they are the real heroes who we should be making a fuss over. Throughout the year, us ambassadors visit Perth Children's Hospital, where we get to meet these brave kids, sing songs with them, play games, run up and down the ward, it's really good fun. Some of these kids have so much energy, others aren't quite up for a chat, but I always try to do something really silly, do a silly dance or sing something silly to try and put a smile on their face. I have some really great memories in the hospital, not only with the kids but those around them who go above and beyond. The parents and siblings of these children, I love making a big fuss over them. I'll always give them a big hug and a high five, it's about them as well. They would go through so much, things I would never want to imagine having to go through and I always think I want to do anything I can to make their day just that much better. It's also really special to meet the nurses, doctors, surgeons and team at the hospital, everyone involved in the foundation who play a part in trying to make these kids' lives better, every single one of them are superheroes. Each of these kids, their families and the hospital and foundation staff have given me so much and helped me put things into perspective and to me it is all about giving back however I can. Some will run out with us on the field through the banner or line up as a guard of honour, and one will even get to go to the middle of the ground and toss the coin. After the game, we will give our Starlight beanies and wands, bring them into the rooms too, it's really exciting and I'm really looking forward to it. Our supporters and footy fans can get involved too — I encourage whoever can to donate through our Fans Pledge on our website, where you can donate a certain amount for every goal kicked. Everyone who enters this also goes into the draw to win a limited edition Starlight jumper, signed by all nine ambassadors, including me. These Starlight jumpers, as well as beanies and wands, are also on sale, and a portion of this will be donated to the foundation as well. Dig deep Dockers fans, I can't wait to see everyone on Sunday, let's make these children feel as special as they deserve to.
