Record $37,700 raised for Albany Community Hospice Footy Stars Weekend with Jeremy McGovern

The Albany Community Hospice’s annual Footy Stars Weekend raised a record $37,700 for the local charity, with hometown hero Jeremy McGovern returning to Albany as a special guest.

The former West Coast Eagle spent the weekend in Albany alongside longtime host Glen Jakovich, visiting patients in the hospice and surprising some of the nursing staff’s children, speaking at a dinner and auction at Motel Le Grande on Saturday night and teeing off at Albany Golf Club on Sunday.

Organiser Jane Mouritz said she was astounded by the generosity of everyone who donated, including local caterers and businesses who helped supply the events and cut the hospice’s running costs across the weekend, and participated in the events.

“People just dug deep for everything all weekend, they were incredibly generous,” she said.

“Having Jeremy McGovern along for the weekend was great, he talked about a lot of aspects of his footy career at the dinner with Glen, and I think a lot of people who came felt they got a bit of the inside story.

“He’s a true homegrown hero, and there’s certainly a lot of love for him in Albany.”

The hospice beat its fundraising record this year, raising an incredible $37,700 across the two days.

The event has been running since 2011, and many of the volunteer organisers have been involved for more than a decade.

Albany Community Hospice chief executive Jackie Boyce said the hospice was continually humbled by the generosity of the community.

“Events like the Footy Stars Weekend remind us that our hospice was built by the community, for the community — and it is sustained by that same collective heart,” she said.

“We are deeply grateful to our volunteers, local businesses, supporters, and the dedicated staff who together continue to ensure compassionate palliative care remains accessible for those who need it most.

“Together, we continue to deliver on our purpose of offering a place of peace, acceptance and safety where everyone is supported and cared for with dignity through their end-of-life choices.”