The Tiger Army has done it once again! With the annual Alannah & Madeline Foundation dedicated match against Collingwood last Saturday, Tiger fans have dug deep and raised over $75,000.  

The funds will go directly to help support the Foundation’s Buddy Bag program.

Buddy Bags are backpacks full of basic, essential items gifted to vulnerable children. Buddy Bags contain items such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, pillowcase, facewasher, PJs, underwear and socks, as well as a book, activity kit, photo frame and the all-important teddy bear.

60,000 children rely on emergency accommodation each year and the Alannah & Madeline Foundation has worked tirelessly over the last 10 years to issue over 85,000 Buddy Bags.

Richmond players and staff, including Captain Trent Cotchin and Coach Damien Hardwick were involved in the packing of the 85,000^th Buddy bag, just a few weeks ago.  Speaking while packing the Buddy Bags, Captain Trent Cotchin said “to hear some of the stories that kids go through is really sad, but it’s also humbling that there is such a great cause, in the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, that are trying to give these kids the best opportunity in life”.

Speaking at quarter time of the game against Collingwood, CEO of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, Lesley Podesta said “The Richmond Football Club is the most extraordinary partner. Together, we are the number one, charity/sport partnership in the country and we rely on the support from Richmond so much to do the work we do. The money raised here today will go towards children suffering from family violence, via our Buddy Bag program. We help over 10,000 children a year via these Buddy Bags, but with your help, we can do more.”

The Round 19 clash against Collingwood was the culmination of an awareness and fundraising campaign, conducted by the Club to help raise money for the Foundation. The pinnacle of the campaign was the pre-game entertainment show, produced and performed by Jason Coleman's Ministry of Dance.

The pre-game show was designed to entertain the audience, whilst catching their attention to shine a light on the alarming statistics regarding domestic violence and the impact on children.  Jason Coleman, CEO of Jason Coleman's Ministry of Dance says he was shocked to hear the number of children impacted by domestic violence and that it was an absolute privilege to work with the Club and the Alannah & Madeline Foundation to develop the pre-game entertainment and assist with raising much needed funds.

Watch the pre-game show in the video player above.

You can still help the Foundation via donating at amf.org.au/footydonate or bid on a match worn guernsey, which closes very soon.