FOR eight-year-old Spencer Quinnell, an upcoming rugby league match in Seaford is the most important day on the calendar.
Spencer Quinnell and his younger brothers Teddy and Stanley have been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder impacting the respiratory system. In a bid to help others going through the same health issues, Spencer and his parents have organised a charity rugby match for later this month.
Spencer’s mother Liv Quinnell said that the young rugby fanatic raised the idea of running a charity match last year after getting involved with other fundraising efforts. “When Spencer was diagnosed we thought ‘this sucks but it’s happened and he’s got to live with it and we have to do something about it’. It can’t be doom and gloom and we need to make him see the positive side,” Liv Quinnell said.
“Every May for cystic fibrosis month we have done something – in the first year we told everyone he has cystic fibrosis, then we sold some merchandise and shared some more facts. When he was three we made a video and that ended up being shared around, and in Prep he drew 65 roses and sold them. Last year he rode his bike and raised $2000, and while he was doing that he told us he wanted to hold a rugby league match.”
Spencer plays under 9s with the Frankston Raiders Rugby League Club. After hearing Spencer’s idea, the club quickly got to work and helped put it together. The charity day will take place from 11am on Sunday, 26 May. The Frankston Raiders RLC and Eastern Raptors RLC will play an under 9s match at 11.30am and a Masters league match at 1pm.
Liv Quinnell said that the clubs had been “an amazing help” while organising the event. “Andy who runs the Masters has got in contact with NRL Victoria, my husband Matt has been in contact with the other footy club, and they’ve been amazing. The club has booked the date, they’ve given us the clubrooms, and they are pitching in by volunteering their time on the barbeques,” she said.
Spencer, Teddy, and Stanley undergo daily physiotherapy sessions at their Aspendale Gardens home to prevent mucus build-up in their lungs, and require regular hospital visits and check-ups. On 26 May though it will be all about the rugby – Spencer says he is “pumped” for the big day.
The fundraiser will take place at Riviera Reserve, Eel Race Road, Seaford. A sausage sizzle, raffles, and auctions will feature on the day. Money raised will be donated to Cystic Fibrosis Community Care and MonashCF.
First published in the Frankston Times – 14th May 2024