Hampden league clubs throw support behind muscular dystrophy fundraiser

Warrnambool footballers and netballers will wear green shoelaces on Saturday to raise awareness of muscular dystrophy.

Their Hampden league opponent, Camperdown, will also replace its laces to support the initiative – the brainchild of Warrnambool brothers Christopher and Aaron Gillin.

The Gillin siblings, aged 25 and 23, live with muscular dystrophy, a disease which attacks a person’s musculoskeletal system and shortens life expectancy to 30.

Their father Ashley is a former Warrnambool runner and returned to the Blues this season.

Aaron said he was rapt the Blues and Magpies had thrown their support behind the green laces initiative.

Gate donations at the Reid Oval clash and money from an auction, which includes signed Essendon, Gold Coast and Hawthorn guernseys, will go to Muscular Dystrophy Australia. 

“It goes towards research for a cure and different stuff they do, like educational programs, and advertising so people know about the disability,” Aaron said.

Warrnambool and District league clubs, umpires and Big V basketball powerhouse Warrnambool Seahawks are expected to don green laces in coming weeks.

The laces have already been worn at AFL level, with former Koroit footballer Martin Gleeson among those to help the Geelong-supporting Gillin brothers’ cause.

“At Essendon, Martin Gleeson and Mitch Brown (have worn them),” Aaron said.

“Mitch used to play for Geelong so he knew us and we used to play indoor cricket with Martin when we were younger.

“Gary Ablett was wearing them for Gold Coast. None of the Geelong ones have worn them yet but are planning on wearing them soon.”

Money raised from the fundraisers, which also include a dress up day at Brauer College in late August and a house concert in September, will go towards Muscular Dystrophy Australia’s National Superhero Week campaign.

“We haven’t really come up with a set amount yet but for Superhero Week, you can set up an account to raise money online and we put our goal as $1500 and we’ve already got $400 so far,” Aaron said.

Aaron, who is now confined to a bed, said his brother was in hospital with a lung infection.

“I’ve been in bed now for the last year but Christopher still goes to footy in Geelong and goes to movies with mum and out to tea with some of his friends every now and then,” he said.