He cuts an imposing figure on the field.
Michael Hurley is playing some of the best football of his career.
He’s strong, aggressive and seemingly never out of the contest.
But exchanging smiles with a family who has done it tough and kicking the footy in a hospital hallway with a boy who idolises him, cuts down this tough guy image.
This hard edge may be further dented when the much talked about dreadlocks are shed next week.
Hurley’s haircut is for Ashleigh – a four-year-old girl who suffers from cerebral palsy.
He went along to the Royal Children’s Hospital to meet her.
“To see her with a smile on her face was a touching and humbling experience,” Hurley said.
“It was fantastic to meet her and put a face to the name.
“And to meet her parents and her brother was fantastic as well.”
Ashleigh was born 13 weeks premature and was diagnosed with the disorder shortly after.
There can be no accurate gauge of the emotional strain Ashleigh and her family has endured.
But the financial toll is more measureable – and that’s where Hurley is helping out, as Ashleigh’s family tries to raise enough money to purchase a hoist and a bed that will make their lives easier.
Chris Lucas, Ashleigh’s father, describes Michael’s efforts to raise the much-needed funds and his visit to see the family as ‘marvelous’.
“The equipment that we’re after costs around $14,000,” he said.
“We were shocked when we got the quote. What Michael is doing is going to help us out tremendously.”
The money is being raised through the MAD Foundation, an organisation that tries to help families like Ashleigh’s.
“MAD Foundation raises money for disadvantaged children and adolescents in the community”, President and Co-Founder of the MAD Foundation, Damian Toohey, said.
“It funds specific projects and basically exists to inspire all of us to step up and make a difference in the community.”
Hurley’s head shave will take place next week so there is still time to raise more funds to ease the strain for the Lucas family.
“With another week and a bit to go, hopefully people can jump on board and we can get $10,000,” Hurley said.
“We’re very privileged to do something so simple for a family in need, to raise some money, I really hope it can be beneficial for them.”
To donate please go to the MAD Foundation website here.
