Brandon Matera may be small in stature, but the big-hearted AFL player delivered a sizeable donation to the Gold Coast Community Fund (GCCF) on Monday.

Matera, the player’s representation and an official ambassador for the GCCF, attended the charity’s 2016 breakfast launch at QT Ballroom, and was met with lavish applause when he presented a cheque for $5,000 to the GCCF, on behalf of the Gold Coast SUNS playing group.

The significant donation was made possible thanks to the AFL Players’ Association recently launched AFL Players Care program, whereby more than $435,000 of AFL players’ match payment charity contributions will be donated to charities around Australia in 2016.

READ: Another 5,000 hours for Gold Coast

The AFL Players Care program launched after the players collectively voted, at the end of 2014, to increase their match payment charity contributions from $25 to $50 per player, per game.

Matera, an inaugural Gold Coast SUNS player who has helped the club contribute more than 26,115 hours to the local community, was thrilled the playing group had nominated the GCCF to receive the $5,000 donation.

"This is my second year running as an ambassador and I’m honoured to be part of the Gold Coast Community Fund," Matera said.

"It is important to be part of the Community Fund; they help our ten charities including areas in youth homelessness, domestic violence and the northern areas. It is a big part of the Gold Coast Suns to be part of the Fund and help out in any way we can."

READ: Matera leaving no stone unturned

AFL Players’ Association CEO, Paul Marsh, recently said he was proud of all AFL players for taking the initiative to increase their contribution to those less fortunate than them.

"AFL players have a unique opportunity to influence change in our community and its outstanding that the players have decided of their own accord to donate $50 per player, per game they play to charity," he said.

"For years, AFL players have gone above and beyond to assist community organisations and touch the lives of those in need – efforts which can sometimes go unseen. All at the AFL Players’ Association are proud of the entire playing group for seeking to make an ever bigger difference going forward."