Swans Redkite Ambassadors Isaac Heeney, Harry Cunningham and Tom Papley with Red Wiggles Simon Pryce and Caterina Mete, Redkite CEO Monique Keighery and Louis Stephen. Image: Phil Hillyard

The Sydney Swans have been on Redkite’s team for 23 years, supporting children and families affected by childhood cancer through our annual match day. 

The two organisations will once again come together to mark Redkite Day at the SCG this Saturday, May 13 when the Swans face Fremantle in Round 9 action.

The Sydney Swans are dedicated to helping our members, fans and the community and we are asking our footy family to stand with us once again and show children with cancer we are on their team as we look to raise funds for Redkite. 

The team had a visit from Redkite at training on Tuesday morning with Redkite CEO Monique Keighery speaking to the playing group alongside Mahala Rae and her son Louis who was diagnosed with B cell lymphoblastic lymphoma in 2019 when he was just 5 years old.

"We absolutely love the Sydney Swans," Keighery said.

"Our partnership has gone from strength to strength over the past 23 years, and at the heart of it is the children with cancer and their families. THE passion and energy of the players and the club to support them is incredible.

"The Sydney Swans and Redkite game raises much needed funds and awareness but it also introduces AFL to families facing cancer who haven't seen it before and that's special. We have kids who have recovered from cancer and now play AFL like little Louis (who was at training today.)"

01:50

The Wiggles to headline Redkite Day at the SCG

This Saturday the Sydney Swans and Redkite will celebrate 23 years of partnership with the annual Redkite Day at the SCG and this year much-loved Australian children's group The Wiggles will be special guests.

Mother of Louis, Mahala Rae spoke to Swans TV of the importance of Redkite in their family's cancer journey.

"Redkite has supported our family from day one from when Louis was first diagnosed," Rae said.

"He has now completed his treatment however Redkite are still there supporting us. Redkite Day is a massive opportunity for everybody to see what Redkite do and raise more funds and awareness for children and their families who are going through that journey.

Now in remission, Louis enjoyed his morning out on the SCG, meeting Swans players and having a kick.

"Louis wouldn't have been able to do this a year ago (be out on the SCG with the players), he's come a long way throughout his treatment, so seeing him run around and having a go is really special."

Get ready to Wiggle!

In some exciting news for Sydney Swans members, fans and the Redkite community, much loved Australian children’s group The Wiggles will also be part of Redkite Day this year, performing at half-time on the SCG.

The Wiggles visited Swans training on Tuesday morning at the SCG and Simon Pryce (the Red Wiggle and Sydney Swans Ambassador) said he and the group are looking forward to being involved in the special day. 

"We're so excited to be able to perform for families at Redkite Day,” Pryce said. 

“Redkite is an amazing organisation that provide support to families going through a difficult time, and we're so proud to partner with the Sydney Swans to help raise awareness for the wonderful work they do. For us, there's nothing more that we want to do than support families, so to be part of it and to be here (at the SCG) and be able to perform is such a thrill for The Wiggles.

"I didn't choose the Red Wiggle but with my love of the Swans and Redkite, red is the right colour!"

How can you support Redkite Day?

We encourage Swans fans to show their support to these children and their families and donate to Redkite here.

A donation of $25 or more from Wednesday May 10 will put you in the draw to win two Qatar Airways Economy Class return flights to any of Qatar Airways’ operated destinations worldwide*. *Terms and Conditions apply.

Fans attending Redkite Day at the SCG will also have the opportunity to show their support and donate at the game. For a donation of $5 or more fans will be able to pick up a special Redkite crown to wear on the day!

We're once again looking forward to seeing plenty of red at the SCG for Redkite Day. Our Big Red Bay will this year be located in Bay 13 of the SCG. Adult tickets are $50, Juniors $23 or family for $100 and ticket includes a special giant cardboard hand. Get your tickets HERE.

Nick Blakey and Harry Cunningham with Louis, who drew Nick's portrait which is available to bid on in The Swannies.

THE SWANNIES! Bid on a player portrait

This year Sydney Swans and Redkite have launched 'The Swannies' a special auction of Sydney Swans player portraits, drawn by kids with cancer and their friends.

Sydney Swans members and fans last year got a glimpse of some of these portraits, when they were displayed on the big screen on match day and on the club's social media channels and now these pieces are available to bid on through the Swannies auction.

We encourage Swans fans to show their support to these children and their families and make a bid for one of these pieces of art!

CLICK HERE TO BID ON A PORTRAIT

About Redkite

Every day in Australia, three families will hear the words: 'your child has cancer' and in that moment, their lives are changed forever. 

Redkite is Australia’s leading national children's cancer charity providing practical, financial and mental health support to families who have a child with cancer.

Whatever challenges cancer puts in a family’s way, Redkite is there to help. Thank you for ensuring families don't have to face their child's cancer alone.

Learn more about Redkite here.