By REBECCA BILLS
LOCAL school girl Gigi Collins organised a 12-hour soccer event that raised over $2000 for breast cancer research.
On Saturday 15 March, soccer players from around the Hills joined in force for 12 hours of back-to-back soccer games running from 10am to 10pm.
The 16-year-old Mater Christi student spent three months organising the event with the guidance of her Monbulk Ranges Soccer Club coach Hans Damenas as part of a personal project that all Year 10 students at the school have to complete.
Gigi’s father Andrew Collins said the girls must pick something that was close to them for the project to give back to the community.
“She has been playing soccer since she was seven and decided to do a marathon soccer event, and with breast cancer being so prevalent at the moment, she wanted to raise money for that,” he said.
“The event was a huge success for her and for the club as we want to promote Monbulk Ranges Soccer Club as a club that is for the community.
“The local traders were fabulous supporting the event, and without them it would have been very hard to put together.”
Mr Collins said that in everyone’s eyes the day was an absolute success.
“We had people travelling from as far as Mentone to support the event,” he said.
“Some of Gigi’s teachers came down for a kick and there were around 12 teams that played on the day.
“Obviously, I am really proud of her, but without the support of the club it would never have happened.”
Gigi is now finishing off all the paperwork and achievement awards from the day and is looking forward to making this an annual event.
