You could fill the MCG with the number of young Australians bullied every two weeks.

It’s a horrible thought and Richmond is determined to assist its preferred charity partner – the Alannah and Madeline Foundation – to fix the problem.

Richmond extended its support of The Alannah and Madeline Foundation at its Round 21 match against Carlton, raising $20,000 for the charity.

The Foundation aims to keep children safe from violence and bullying and the Tigers raised $20K at its round 21 game v Carlton to support a great cause.

Richmond’s support of the Foundation has seen it sponsor the implementation of the Better Buddies program in 10 schools nationally. This innovative program, which aims to prevent bullying, helps students entering their first year of primary school to feel safe, valued and connected by pairing them with an older buddy.

Speaking in Richmond’s official President’s Function, The Alannah and Madeline Foundation's CEO, Dr Judith Slocombe told the audience of 630 guests that Madeline Mikac, aged three when she was killed in the Port Arthur tragedy in 1996 with her older sister Alannah and mother, would have turned 21 years of age earlier in the week. 

“It’s fantastic to have the support of the Richmond Football Club to help us spread the message that bullying is never acceptable and should never be tolerated. Our children deserve nothing less than to live in a world free from bullying,” Dr Slocombe said.

The $20,000 was raised through mobile and online donations, the President’s function raffle and merchandise sales of specially designed caps and scarves. Click here to purchase.

The Rotary Club of Melbourne Parks has also held a BBQ at each Before the Pounce event at the ME Bank Centre this season, to raise money for the Foundation. So far, they have raised $6,190 for the charity.

In addition to fundraising, Richmond supported the Foundation by the players wearing purple warm-up tops pre-game. The warm-up tops have been signed by the players and are now being auctioned at Tigerland Auctions. Click here to bid.  

The Club also gave 500 free tickets to fans and the Foundation schools participating in Better Buddies, and selected students participated in on-ground activities before the game, thanks to Richmond’s valued partner, Harvey Norman, the Club’s official match-day sponsor.

Harvey Norman also donated a DeLonghi coffee to one of Richmond’s sponsored schools, Berengarra, which runs the Foundation's Better Buddies Program.

To find out how Richmond’s players support the club’s partnership with The Alannah and Madeline Foundation, watch this video with Steve Morris.