Some of Gold Coast’s brightest AFL prospects have swapped Sherrins for screwdrivers this week as the SUNS look to bring domestic and family violence into the spotlight.

The SUNS have a longstanding partnership with Gold Coast-based charity RizeUp Australia, and this week will be hosting St Kilda in the Round to RizeUp to create awareness and educate the community around the prevention of domestic and family violence.

One of RizeUp’s various programs to support families fleeing a violent household is the complete furnishing of new accommodation to provide a recovery anchor for a fresh start.

SUNS players Ben King, Charlie Ballard, Caleb Graham, Sam Flanders and Jacob Townsend volunteered their time to build furniture, assemble flatpacks and decorate the house for one family who has been affected.

For Sam Flanders, it’s his first time taking part in a RizeUp home creation but something he was passionate to be involved in.

“We had RizeUp come in last week to the club to present to us about the epidemic in our society which is domestic and family violence,” Flanders said.

“It’s a very serious issues that we need to be bringing attention to and RizeUp do some fantastic work in our community to help those who have been affected.

“To be able to play a small role in helping to give back and help empower families looking to move forward with their lives, is the least we can do.”

“It’s not much but every little bit counts and we hope the Gold Coast community can continue to show their support this weekend for our Round to RizeUp.”

Each new accommodation setup costs approximately $5,000 to furnish for a family making a fresh start.

The SUNS’ goal is to raise money through the Round to RizeUp match against St Kilda to set up as many homes as possible.

Donations can be made whilst purchasing tickets to the game via Ticketek, at any time via the RizeUp website or at the game at Metricon Stadium which gets underway at 1.45pm on Saturday. 

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