On the eve of the launch of the footy season, players past and present from Sydney NRL clubs joined a team of Save Our Sons walkers to raise money for young boys who will never get a chance to kick a football.
The 2018 Walk To Save Our Sons, supported by Chemist Warehouse, took place from March 1- 7 travelling between Sydney NRL Clubs along a challenging 157km route to raise much-needed funds and promote awareness of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
DMD affects 1 in 3500 boys and, in rare cases, girls and there is currently no cure.
Money raised by Save Our Sons, which receives no government support, has funded 11 different research, clinical trials and studies nationally and globally.
Funds raised will also be used to assist families impacted by the condition, on medical equipment to improve the quality of life of these children, and to employ an around-the-clock specialist nurse in every Australian children’s’ hospital.
The Walk To Save Our Sons started at the Penrith Panthers and wrapped up on Wednesday at Cronulla.
Before heading for the shire the walkers stopped at Jubilee Oval with several St George Illawarra Dragons players signing jerseys and meeting some of their young fans.
The 30+ walkers then made their way to the Cronulla Sharks Stadium and continued on until they reached Peryman Square - Dunningham Park Cronulla where there was ann end-of-walk celebration and barbecue.
The walk also had the support of celebrity ambassadors: actor and entertainer Johnny Ruffo, sports commentator and Sharks premiership winning player Mick Ennis, former NRL referee Bill Harrigan, NBL Sydney Kings players Jason Cadee and Brad Newley and boxer Billy Dib.