The players, coaches, Board members and staff of the Sydney Swans would like to send their heartfelt condolences to the family of the Albion Park Rail couple who were involved in a terrible accident in Melbourne last weekend.

The couple, Karen and Fernando Marino, had travelled from their home near Wollongong to Melbourne together to watch the Sydney Swans play Richmond at the MCG on Sunday. It was a belated birthday treat for Mrs Marino.

They were hit by a car as they crossed the road in Carlton on Saturday night. Fernando, 32, died shortly after the accident, and Karen, 29, died in hospital last night.

“We feel deeply for the family and friends of Karen and Fernando. As a Club we’ll endeavour to do what we can to support the family and their two young children,’’ Swans chief executive Andrew Ireland said today. 

A bank account has been set up by the family to accept donations for the children, aged two and five, and numerous fundraising activities have been organised.

Staff of the Sydney Swans will donate to the fund, and if members of the extended Swans community wish to donate, the details are as follows:

BSB: 641800
ACC: 200621702
NAME: IMB Society LTD ITF Marino Family Appeal