Hopes of a record-breaking fundraiser as Ben Cousins headlines Albany’s annual Footy Stars Weekend for hospice

Albany Community Hospice will be banking on the star power of Ben Cousins to help break a fundraising record at its annual Footy Stars Weekend next week. The West Coast Eagles premiership player and Brownlow medallist will be the guest of honour at the event which serves as the hospice’s major annual fundraiser. The $40,000 record is jointly held by the 2018 event, headlined by West Coast’s Josh Kennedy, and last year’s event, with Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir. Organiser Todd McGregor said there had been plenty of interest in the event right from the start because people wanted to hear Cousins’ story “straight from the horse’s mouth”. “The love that people — especially Eagles supporters — have for Ben Cousins and their desire to see him do well after his well documented issues came through as a strong level of support for the event,” he said. “We knew that would be the case when we targeted him as a guest.” Cousins will appear alongside fellow West Coast great Glen Jakovich, who is a regular feature at the event. The pair will join guests for a sports dinner function and memorabilia auction at Motel Le Grande on Saturday, November 19, before teeing off with an expected field of 144 golfers at Albany Golf Club the next day. The events are sold out, but anyone interested in attending the dinner can call Mr McGregor on 0427 892 001 to be put on a wait list. Those interested in taking part in the golf day can call Max Loveridge on 0407 385 722 to be put on a wait list. “Things come up and people often pull out at the last minute, so there could still be a chance to be involved,” Mr McGregor said.