The Sharks are joining with the rugby league community to Unite for Kurt, in throwing their support behind former NYC player and local junior Kurt Drysdale who suffered a life changing injury recently which has left him as a quadriplegic
Drysdale, who played for the Cronulla Caringbah club and the Sharks Matthews Cup and SG Ball teams before graduating to the Holden Cup under-20’s squad, was injured earlier this year playing for Cabramatta in the Sydney Shield competition.
He remains in Royal North Shore Hospital where he is receiving around the clock treatment.
The Sharks are dedicating their round 23 Monday Night Football match against Melbourne to Unite For Kurt, with fundraising initiatives to take place at the game, while all matches in the NSWRL Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield Cup competitions on the 15th and 16th August will be a part of the Unite For Kurt round.
There is also a special ticket for Monday night’s game, with $5 from pre-purchased tickets going to the Unite for Kurt fund.
In addition, ‘Small Steps for Kurt’ will see a contingent of rugby league identities walk from Heathcote to Remondis Stadium on the day of the Sharks v Storm game.
The walk, which begins at 8.30am and concludes just prior to kick off, takes in most of the major Sutherland Shire retail precincts, high schools and business districts, with bucket collections and donations encouraged and accepted along the way.
Small Steps for Kurt has been organised by ex-Sharks player Alan Wilson, with the goal of collecting much-needed funds for Kurt and also in raising awareness of his situation along the way.
Wilson will be walking with other ex NRL players, celebrities and media personalities, including the likes of Andrew Johns, Andrew Ettingshausen, Ben Ross, Daryl Brohman, Aaron Raper, Stuart Raper, Nathan Brown, Paul Sironen and Robbie Kearns, with some joining him for the entire trip, others at intervals along the way.
Blind athlete Nathan Johnston, who recently qualified to compete in the Hawaii Ironman, escorted by his ‘pilot’ Glenn Gorrick, will also accompany the group for the walk on Monday.
The Small Steps for Kurt walkers will be identifiable in Unite for Kurt t-shirts.
Also supporting Unite for Kurt, Cabramatta Leagues Club will be hold a fundraising dinner on August 22, with NSW Coach Laurie Daley confirmed as one of the guest speakers and Wests Ashfield Leagues Club is holding an additional fundraising event on September 24.
For more information, the Sharks have set up a dedicated webpage at www.sharks.com.au/community/uniteforkurt.
Bank details for anyone wishing to make a donation are included on the webpage.
Please help us Unite for Kurt in supporting some of the many fundraising initiatives.
UNITE FOR KURT EVENTS
Unite for Kurt Round – in conjunction with NSWRL.
Saturday and Sunday, August 15-16
Cabramatta to play in specially designed Unite for Kurt Jerseys against Blacktown Workers in the Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield. Jerseys to be sold for $250 each with all proceeds going to Kurt.
Gate takings and other fundraising initiatives will also take place, while other games in the two respective competitions will raise money in support of Unite for Kurt round.
Unite for Kurt Fundraising Dinners
Cabramatta Leagues Club, Saturday, August 22, 7pm start
Sportsman’s dinner with guest speakers, including NSW Coach Laurie Daley auction items, coin toss etc. All proceeds going to Unite for Kurt. Jerseys from the Unite for Kurt Round a week prior will also be auctioned.
Ticket price is $80 per person or $750 for a table of 10.
Wests Ashfield Leagues Club, Thursday, September 24
Wests Ashfield Leagues Club will hold the function at no cost, covering the cost of food, beverage, staff, and AV requirements with all proceeds to Kurt Drysdale.
More details will be advised or can be obtained by contacting Wests Ashfield, with the ambitious target being to raise over $150,000 on the night.
