GO BACK
Footy Finals Fever kicks some serious goals
September 4, 2025
On Friday 29 August we celebrated the start of the AFL finals with an exhilarating Footy Finals Fever lunch at the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, together we raised more than $375,000! These vital funds will help Very Special Kids continue to provide holistic palliative care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions across Victoria.
A big thank you to our incredible MC Sarah Jones for hosting this vibrant afternoon, and to our panellists and speakers for bringing the footy fun.
Thank you – Kevin Sheedy, Kevin Bartlett, David King, Chelsea Roffey, Jules Valance and Jon Ralph, and comedian Marty Fields – for keeping us entertained, informed and primed for finals season.
We were thrilled to receive pledges towards 98 nights of respite and end-of-life care at Victoria’s only children’s hospice, Very Special Kids House. We’re grateful to all who pledged a bed night – we can’t do this work without you.
A heartfelt thank you also goes to very special mum Sarah for generously sharing her and her son Callum’s story. Callum is a beautiful child who lives with Sanfilippo syndrome – a rare form of childhood dementia. Sarah’s presentation reminded us just how vital the funds raised at the event are for families like hers. Sarah shares:
It’s humbling to look around the room knowing that our family’s community just got a little bit bigger…You have become a part of my family, a part of Callum’s journey, and you’re an integral part of the wellbeing of families and terminally ill children across Victoria.
Special mention to our presenting partner Lowe Living, major prize sponsor Hyundai Help for Kids, handball sponsor Adriatic Furniture and in-kind partners Sutton Grange Winery and Jetty Road Brewery. Thank you also to all the in-kind supporters who donated gifts for our auction and raffle.
We’d also like to acknowledge our incredible Footy Finals Fever committee Patrick Prendergast, Peter Sidwell and Justin Whitford. Without your efforts and behind the scenes work, Footy Finals Fever – and the incredible funds raised for the children and families in our care – would not have been possible.
Congratulations to our raffle winners!
1st: Simon Mowlman – Hyundai Venue Active (thanks to Hyundai Help for Kids)
2nd: Isabella Hicks – $15,000 E&S Trading voucher
3rd: Cara Castillo – Travel package from O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours
4th: Lauren Gordon – Melbourne United basketball corporate package from Engie
5th: Thomas Lay – Seven-day campervan rental from Let’s Go Motorhomes
6th: Elizabeth Rowland – Two-night stay at Sofitel Melbourne on Collins
A big thank you also to the donors who supplied our auction items including:
- Mark Allen and Kingston Heath Club– private golf coaching experience
- 3AW/Nine Media – 3AW advertising schedule
- Live Nation and Amphora – Entertainment Package
- Carlton Football Club – for donating towards the Carlton Football Club package
- Steele Sidebottom – for donating his time at the Very Special Golf Day at Capital Golf Club
- Ticketmaster, Amphora and Engie– Footy Fever Fan Package
- Mildura Base Public Hospital Foundation and Stefano de Pieri – Magnificent Murray River package
- Craig Hart from Assembled Group – Sports Package Bonanza
