The nib Newcastle Knights has raised more than three-thousand dollars for the Mark Hughes Foundation through its Hughesy’s Heroes Junior Membership initiative and generous Member donations.
Knights CEO Matt Gidley presented a cheque of $3,130 to foundation founder Mark Hughes on Tuesday.
“The Newcastle Knights is my big passion in life and to have them want to support my new passion in the Mark Hughes Foundation is such a great, exciting fit for us,” said Hughes.
This year, all junior Knights Members were known as Hughesy’s Heroes, with $5 from every non-ticketed Membership going to the foundation as a tax-deductible donation. All Members were also able to donate to this great cause when they purchased their Membership for 2017.
The Hughesy’s Heroes Membership also included a special 2017 junior Member backpack and drink bottle.
“It was great to see the kids join up to be Members of the Club and get their backpacks while supporting the Mark Hughes Foundation and supporting the Knights,” added Hughes.
Funding will help to go towards a research fellowship.
“We have a Matt Callandar fellowship about to start so that is another full-time researcher coming in that we’re really pumping our resources into,” explained Hughes.
“Three thousand dollars is a lot of money and it’s really going to help us continue our aggressive push to finding an answer to brain cancer."
Knights CEO Matt Gidley said the Club’s partnership with the Mark Hughes Foundation has been fantastic and has applauded the worthy initiative this year.
“It has been really well received and it goes to a cause that we’re really passionate about,” said Gidley.
“Mark has done a fabulous job with the foundation and it is a real privilege to be involved in such a great community charity.”
The success of the initiative will see it continue in 2018.
“We are looking forward to continuing with Hughesy’s Heroes next year,” added Gidley.
“Mark was a great player for the Club for a long time and he’s doing a wonderful job with his foundation in the community so we are really pleased to be able to continue with the partnership.”
Keep an eye out in October for your chance to join this great initiative when 2018 Hughesy’s Heroes packages will be on sale.