Riley Byrnes
Will FOWLES (Ringwood) (10:01): I rise to acknowledge and celebrate the efforts of two fantastic sporting clubs in my electorate which came together in a show of support for young Riley Byrnes, who was sadly diagnosed with leukaemia at just 11 years old. The Mitcham football and netball club, led by their dedicated president Matt McCubbin, led the Great Shave for Riley, raising an incredible $14,000 for the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation. But that is not all. Riley’s inspiring story also motivated the Mitcham Cricket Club to get involved in Lifeblood’s local sporting clubs blood challenge. The junior cricketers enthusiastically took part in the ‘run for Riley’ initiative, and numerous club members stepped up to donate blood. In their very first attempt the club achieved remarkable success, winning the categories of most lives saved and most new donors. They managed to save an amazing 114 lives in just a short span of three months. I cannot express enough just how proud I am of both of these clubs for their unwavering support of Riley and these very important causes.