Legends of sport turn out for Australind fundraiser

Fremantle Docker Anthony Morabito will join AFL legend David Parkin, Australind businessman Calvin Rodgers and Paralympian Brad Scott in Harvey for a celebration of all things inspirational next week.

The group will be at the Harvey Bulls Football Club next Tuesday night to speak about overcoming life’s challenges.

Parkin, a four-time premiership coach with Hawthorn and Carlton, will be in WA for the National Male Bag Ride, an 11- day motorbike trek from Perth to Melbourne to raise money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

Funds raised from the evening will be donated to the cause.

Parkin, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009, said almost $300,000 had already been donated to the National Male Bag Ride.

The 70-year-old said he had been overwhelmed by the Bulls’ support.

“For a place to set up a night like this and get three of the locals back in who have suffered awful trauma in their lives will give a lot of inspiration to a lot of people,” he said.

“I’m absolutely rapt they’ve chosen that theme.

“They’ve got people who have suffered badly and are prepared to come and talk about their issues. It will be a great night.”

After being born with cerebral palsy, Scott has risen to win three Paralympic medals.

He was earlier this year named the South Western Times AJ (Tood) Buswell Sports Star of the Year.

Morabito, a Harvey Bulls junior product who has had three knee reconstructions since being drafted in 2009 and Rodgers, who was left legally blind after a car crash, will also share their stories.

Parkin is a regular in Harvey and forged a relationship with the Bulls in the late 1990s when he became the centrepiece of major fundraising efforts to help the club build a new home.

The night will be hosted by Parkin and Forrest MHR Nola Marino, who is a former Bulls president.