YOUTH Homeless Ambassadors Jared Brennan and Tom Lynch were on hand to help take part in the Gold Coast SUNS annual Face Your Fears charity day at SeaWorld this morning, putting aside their fear of sharks to join a group of homeless Gold Coast youth as they snorkelled in the Park’s Shark Bay.
For 20-year-old Lynch, who arrived early to meet with members of the club’s nominated charities from Gold Coast Youth Service, Project for Homeless Youth and YHES house, the opportunity to continually reach out and engage with the city’s homeless youth in an ambassadorial capacity is a position he holds with great respect away from the football oval.
“It’s been great, I feel like I have learned plenty in this area and it’s been really good to grow and get to know the kids a bit better and learn more about this issue,” he said.
Lynch said the adrenaline pumping activities at SeaWorld had been enjoyed by everyone who dared to face their fears and swim alongside the oceans biggest predators.
“It was a really good day; we got to mingle with all the young people and get to know them a little bit better, while facing our fears of sharks.”
GC SUNS Community Programs Manager – Corey Bell, said Face Your Fears had been a tremendous success for the third consecutive year.
“It was a fantastic opportunity for our players, staff and kids who are at risk of homelessness to get together in a fun and interesting environment and get to know each other as well.”
With the rest of the playing group enjoying a well-deserved day off, Bell commended Lynch and Brennan for taking the time to come down and share a laugh with the kids.
“Both Jared and Tom have done an amazing amount of work in the community in the area of youth homelessness and were fantastic in the shark snorkel,” Bell said.
“We’re looking forward to watching the charity day continue to build under the Horizon’s Program.”