PLAYERS and officials from the Lismore Swans Aussie Rules are in awe of the kindness of strangers after receiving more than $8,000 in donations from sporting clubs in Sydney and Melbourne.
The club has had a number of its people affected by the floods and are not fielding senior teams in the AFL North Coast competition this season as a result.
While the of Lismore in March and April to assist with clean up, fundraisers were being organised from afar to support the Lismore club recover after the floods.
Earlier this week, the Swans met with Rockdale landscaper Zac Newton, who organised a fundraiser for members of the Cronulla Strength and Movement gym in Sydney.
Zac took a week of annual leave from work and rented a van to bring donated personal items to the North Coast and present the Lismore Swans with $4000 in donations.
"We just couldn't believe what we were seeing on the TV," Zac said.
"I wanted to do something to help."
"The members of our gym understand the importance of exercise and physical and mental health, especially in times of stress.
"We wanted to help a club stay strong after the floods, so we did what we could".
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The Williamstown Football Club in Melbourne raised money selling baked good and home-made scrunchies.
Vice-captain, Eliza Straford said the whole club had been left emotional when ex-Lismore Swan Elsa Mangan, now living in Melbourne, had told them about the impact of the floods on the club.
"The whole playing group was devastated to hear stories of the Swans situation and Lismore in general," Straford said. "It's the least we could do from afar."
Lismore Swans club secretary Austin Curtin said the support shows how connected sporting communities can be.
"Our club is immensely grateful by the kindness of strangers."
"It's been an emotional couple of months for the Lismore Swans but we know that the club, and AFL in Lismore, will be back big time in 2023.
""We look forward to supporting the community, our local sponsors and making the most of this kindness by playing some fabulous footy as soon as we can.
"The Lismore Swans wish to extend its thanks to Cronulla Strength and Movement, Moorefield Bowling Club in Kogarah, the Bang Football Club in Sydney and the Williamstown Football Club, Melbourne."
The Swans qualified for the semi-finals in both men's and women's competition in its first season in the AFL North Coast competition last year.
The finals were abandoned due to COVID-19 lockdowns.
