Dyldam Parramatta Eels co-captain and second rower Ben Smith have joined forces with Bulldogs' five-eighth Josh Reynolds to launch the 2014 Bandaged Bear Cup at the Children's Hospital at Westmead.
The local rivals will play for the Cup at ANZ Stadium on Friday, August 15, in Round 23 of the NRL Telstra Premiership, in what has become a seven-year tradition on the rugby league calendar.
The Bandaged Bear Cup gives both sides the chance to recognise the hard work of the staff and volunteers at the Children's Hospital at Westmead, and includes tickets for them to bring along family and friends and enjoy the game.
Eels second-rower Ben Smith said the clash was a welcome opportunity to shout-out the staff and voluteers that make a difference in so many lives.
"It’s great to recognise the effort that the staff and volunteers put into such a worthy cause and it’s probably something that needs to be recognised more often," Smith said.
"And it’s great to come here and put a smile on their face but we get as much out of it as well."
Co-Captain Tim Mannah said the club's relationship with the hospital was one that's close to his heart.
"We’re lucky we're local to this place so we have a lot of chances to pop in and see how kids are doing," Mannah said.
"Sometimes we see the same faces here. which means they’ve been here for a while, but they’ve always got a smile on their face and they’re grateful for the staff they have here. It’s just great we get to acknowledge them and support them."
All ticketed Eels Members receive entry to the game on Friday, August 15, as part of their Membership, and can buy any additional tickets now in the exclusive Members pre-sale.
All other NRL fans can purchase their tickets from Wednesday, July 23, from Ticketek.
