Richmond and the Alannah & Madeline Foundation helped bring light to children's lives last weekend, holding an end of year celebration at the Swinburne Centre.
The party was attended by 60 children aged from three months to 15 years old, who are involved in the Foundation's programs.
It provided an opportunity for the children to feel a part of the Club, meet players, have fun and receive a gift from Santa.
The children were entertained with an inflatable obstacle course, balloon artist, face painter, mascots Stripes and Buddy Bear, Santa, live music and meet and greet with players.
Richmond's Jayden Short was on hand to assist with last Saturday's celebrations.
He said the playing group was proud of the Club's partnership with the Foundation.
“This year us as players donated $2,500 and that got us 50 Buddy Bags for all the kids,” Short said.
“It’s just a great program to be a part of and work with such beautiful kids. To get to be a part of their life, it’s pretty special.”
Richmond staff this year ran a toy drive and have donated various art supplies, DVD’s, board games and other activities for the Foundation's Cubby House, which is located at the Broadmeadows Children's Court.
The Foundation is a national charity with the vision that all children have the right to a safe and happy childhood free from violence.
Richmond’s partnership with the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, which was first established in 2012, continues to raise funds and awareness to support the Foundation’s work.
In 2017, the Tigers raised $166,000 for the Foundation, taking the Club’s total support over the past seven years to almost $500,000.
Head of Care at the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, Lee Cameron, thanked Richmond for its support.
“These kids have come from backgrounds of quite significant trauma and violence, so the opportunity for them to experience a normal childhood, for them to have fun with their families… it’s a wonderful occasion for them,” Cameron said.
“The Foundation is so grateful for our partnership with Richmond. It’s one of our most enduring and significant partnerships and we’ve been able to achieve wonderful things over the past almost six years."
