Harry meets TigersFairfax Regional Media
January 16, 2016
A FOUR-YEAR-OLD boy who lost everything – including his Richmond football jumper – in the Scotsburn fire has had a day out with his footy heroes.
Harry Mahar spent the day at Tigerland after the Richmond Football Club learnt of the Mahar family’s loss in the devastating blaze that destroyed their home.
The avid Tigers fan and his siblings Denny, 6, and Bella, 8, spent Friday watching the players train. They then went out onto the oval to meet the players and kick the footy with them.
Harry’s mum, Alison Mahar, said her son was fitted out with Tigers’ gear, including a guernsey, jumper, hat and football which the players signed.
“Harry was really excited. He really enjoyed the day … we could not wipe the smile off his face,” Mrs Mahar said.
She said the football players were fantastic lifted her children’s spirits.
“It gets them to enjoy the school holidays and forget what’s happened,” Mrs Mahar said.
“Bella and Denny had a great day. They are not Richmond supporters but they had a brilliant day.”
Mrs Mahar said her three children followed in their grandparents foosteps and loved AFL football.
Bella, a Geelong supporter, was sent a signed jumper from the club, while Western Bulldogs supporter Denny may be receiving something similar.
The meeting with the players was organised after the Buninyong Community Centre emailed the Richmond Football Club telling them about the Mahar family’s loss.
Mrs Mahar said the family was currently living in Bungaree and their plan to rebuild in Scotsburn was moving, but slowing.
“Things are moving in the right direction. The community support has been so overwhelming,” she said.
The fires, which hit on the weekend before Christmas, destroyed 12 homes, about 40 sheds and scorched more than 4000 hectares of land across the Scotsburn, Elaine, Clarendon, Mount Mercer and Durham Lead areas.
Collection centres at the Buninyong Anglican Church and Buninyong Town Hall have been overwhelmed by the volume of food and clothing donations.
Anyone wanting to donate or offer support to the Mahar family can visit the Facebook page ‘Help the Mahar Family back on their feet’, or email
tmoslwatson@gmail.com or Jane.
hodge@optusnet.com.au.
http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/3666069/harry-meets-tigers/
