This Saturday the Saints and Bulldogs will play for the Barker-Whitten Challenge.
Named in honour of St Kilda legend Trevor Barker, and Footscray/Western Bulldogs legend EJ Whitten, the Barker-Whitten Challenge Plate pays respect to these two outstanding individuals as well as the work of their respective Foundations: the Trevor Barker Foundation and the EJ Whitten Foundation.
In particular, The Trevor Barker Foundation continues to bring enormous benefit to hundreds of children living with cancer and their families, 19 years after Trevor’s passing.
Become a member. Click HERE or call 1300 GO SAINTS
Established in 1997 in memory of Barker, who died of cancer in 1996 aged 39, the Foundation is managed by Challenge, Victoria’s longest serving children’s cancer charity, which provides assistance and support for children living with cancer and their families, and is the iconic partner of the St Kilda Football Club.
Prior to this Saturday's game, 20 children living with cancer and their siblings will form a guard of honour for the St Kilda players as a mark of respect to Trevor Barker. One lucky child from The Trevor Barker Foundation will also run out with the team.
The Barker-Whitten Challenge Plate has been played every year since 2000, with St Kilda winning eight of the 14 matches.
ABOUT CHALLENGE
Since 1983, Challenge has reached over 25,000 children and families living with cancer, providing a wide range of practical support services including playgroup, music therapy, massage therapy, camps, information seminars, tickets to concerts and events, holiday accommodation, parent retreats and social activities, home help and scholarship opportunities. Challenge also provides support to kids undergoing treatment in hospital with iPads, gaming consoles, Internet access, family activities and celebrity visits. Challenge holds The Trevor Barker Foundation under its authority.
http://www.challenge.org.au/
ABOUT THE EJ WHITTEN FOUNDATION
The EJ Whitten Foundation honours the legacy of EJ “Mr Football” who died after a long and public battle with Prostate Cancer. EJ was the first man of his era to give a voice to Prostate Cancer Awareness.
Since its inception in 1995, the EJ Whitten Foundation has raised over $7.5 million dollars for Prostate Cancer Research and Awareness.
We thank all our sponsors, partners and supporters for assisting us to find a cure for Prostate Cancer. The legendary EJ would be proud of our efforts.
