The Parramatta Eels have partnered with the Thomas Kelly Youth Foundation, the Wests Tigers and NRL to support the launch of Stay Kind Day, the Round 20 match at ANZ Stadium between the Eels and Wests Tigers, on Sunday 23rd July at ANZ Stadium.
The Eels and Wests Tigers players will wear special ‘Stay Kind’ jerseys for the clash, which will feature the Stay Kind branding on the front of the jersey, an initiative to raise awareness and prevention of suicide in honour of the Kelly family, who tragically lost two sons – Thomas and Stuart – four years apart.
The Kelly family have set up the Thomas Kelly Youth Foundation to promote respect, kindness and the fostering of a supportive environment in our community.
Stay Kind is about caring for one another in family, sport, work and school. As a caring compassionate community, we can help prevent suicide in Australia.
The Eels and Wests Tigers will play for the Stay Kind Cup in Round 20.
Parramatta Eels co-captain Tim Mannah spoke at Monday’s (10 July) launch about how important it is “for people to be able to stop pause and just see how people, their loved ones are and people around them are and just make sure that they’re doing ok.”
“It’s definitely something we can do more of, I think sometimes we get so caught up in our busy lives that we forget to stop to see how people around us are doing,” Mannah continued.
“It’s a great initiative and the West Tigers as well as the Parramatta Eels are very excited to be playing for the Stay Kind Cup. We really hope that we can get a great crowd there. It’s always a great game when the two teams play each other.”
Wests Tigers Chris Lawrence was also proud to support the initiative.
“I just want to thank the West Tigers and the Parramatta Eels and the NRL,” Lawrence said.
“I think it’s a great initiative they’ve shown by being able to promote this wonderful message and get the awareness out there and obviously promote the values of being able to respect and stay kind amongst all avenues of life.”
The Eels Jersey will have the blue taken out of it to represent taking ‘the blues out’, as part of TKYF's 'Stay Kind' initiative.
They were launched yesterday at Concord Oval with Parramatta Eels representative Tim Mannah and Tigers representative Chris Lawrence both presented with the Coin of Valour by the Foundations Patron Allan Sparks CV, OAM, VA.
“We have to show kindness to each other when we’re going through really tough times and the NRL is showing an exceptional example by not only allowing this game to take place but to promote it the way it needs to and the way it has done,” said Mr Sparks.
Ralph, Kathy and daughter Madeleine, along with Lifeline CEO Pete Schmigel were also in attendance at the launch.
50% of donations made on July 23 (Stay Kind Day) will be donated to Lifeline Australia.
You can help to expand Stay Kind initiatives for a more caring community through making a donation by texting KIND to 0437 371 371 or by visiting staykind.org.au.
To purchase tickets to the clash, visit http://ticketek.com.au/staykind
Or to make a donation by text, text: KIND to 0437 371 371
Or to find out more about Stay Kind, go to: http://staykind.org.au/
*Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
*Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.
*MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78.
