Old Cat lends a paw
Gary Ablett senior puts his hand up to help those affected by Balck Saturday.
Thursday a Geelong hero, Gary Ablett senior, visited Middle Kinglake Primary School as an ambassador to help those affected by the horrific scene of Black Saturday.
Ablett donated five framed and signed No. 5 guernseys to the charity, Smouldering Stump, which began last year in hope to raise money and awareness for victims suffering from post-traumatic stress.
Five years later people are still living in fear with many losing loved ones and their homes during the Balck Saturday fires. Ablett believes Smoldering Stump is a significant charity that needs increased support.
"Hopefully we can raise money needed for the children who have lost loved ones so they can receive the professional counselling to work through the recovery process," Ablett told News Limited.
"I can't begin to imagine the level of post-traumatic stress caused by this."
The chairman of Smouldering Stump, Darren Scerri, feels Ablett's support will help with the expansion of the charity and encourage corporate involvement.
Middle Kinglake Primary School, which lost one student in the fires, has since been rebuilt, however, student numbers have significantly dropped to 70 from 150.
Geelong supporter and principal, Janette Cook, is thrilled to have her Geelong hero by their side.
"I have seen the illnesses in the community when people just run out of adrenalin and their bodies give up," Cook said.
"That's when the cancers and other stress-related diseases take over. So having Gary Ablett come to our community to willingly support the Smouldering Stump campaign means so much.
"I have been a Geelong supporter all my life and was teaching in Myrtleford in 1983 when Gary played there for a season. I actually had his autograph from that time but it went in the fires."
To bid for the jumpers, which will be presented by Ablett, visit mindbodyevents.com.au.