Golf Vic Vol 60 No 1

Very soon we'll be announcing a brand new initiative, Jarrod's Gift, that will be the culmination of discussions between the PGA of Australia, Golf Australia and Challenge. Golf clubs around the country will be able to take part in a nationwide fundraising effort. Stay tuned for more exciting updates very soon. Also, the release of Jarrod's autobiography is scheduled for August 2019 and will coincide with #doingitforjarrod month, supported by Golf Australia . If Jarrod’s story inspires you to make a donation to Challenge, that’s brilliant. If his story inspires you to purchase Leuk the Duck merchandise for yourself or those around you, that’s also incredible. The proceeds from those sales will all make their way back to Challenge, to ensure Jarrod’s legacy of giving back to children and families living with cancer will continue. But even more than that, if Jarrod’s story reminds you that someone you know or someone in your community is facing a similar battle and you are inspired to reach out to them and offer a helping hand in even the tiniest of ways, to me that is even more precious. It would obviously be a great thing if Challenge could reach every child and their family who received a cancer diagnosis throughout Australia, but it’s just not possible. Yet by sharing Jarrod’s story and reminding everyone that he, and we, are not the only ones to go through this horror, perhaps we can have even a tiny positive impact on the lives of people we’d otherwise not be able to reach. If nothing else, my own experience has taught me that there are so many things far more valuable than money – a shoulder to cry on, a home-cooked meal, a few hours reprieve from children, a clean house, a tidy garden, a box of chocolate, an uninterrupted sleep. None of these things are expensive and yet they can be the difference between getting through the day or falling in a miserable heap. So, if you are reading this, and you know a family who are going through their own cancer battle, please take a few minutes and offer them some help. Even if they say they are fine, there’s always something you can do. To me, this simple concept is at the heart of #doingitforjarrod. It’s nothing big or flashy but it’s significant enough to keep that person or that family afloat just a little while longer. WAYS TO KEEP DOING IT FOR JARROD Readers wishing to purchase Leuk the Duck merchandise can go to: www.challenge.org.au/shop For more information on Challenge, Supporting Kids With Cancer, go to: www.challenge.org.au 18 Golf Victoria