THE Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs junior rugby league club have just completed another generous jersey donation to the people of Fiji.
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The club first started this wonderful initiative back in 2014, where it donated a number of jerseys to a school in Sigatoka, Fiji.
Following the success of this trip, the club decided to again donate some of their old and leftover gear to the small of community of Biausevu.
On both occasions, Bulldogs committee member Jeff Mines, who also coached the under 11s this season, delivered the gear.
“On the first occasion, my family and I were heading over to Fiji on a holiday and I proposed the idea to the board and they loved it and got right behind it,” Mines said.
“With everyone’s great support, we delivered jerseys and shorts to the children of Fiji, who don’t have much at all.
“It was a really moving experience – bringing smiles to their faces was amazing.
“It wasn’t so much about the Bulldogs, rather spreading the word of rugby league and helping those in need.”
Mines, who had his sister in-law’s wedding in Fiji recently, decided to again start up the great initiative, with the help of the committee.
“This year, as well as jerseys, we took socks and decked out their senior men’s team in matching pairs for the first time,” he said.
“One thing in particular stand out to me – after all the jerseys were handed out, a five-year-old started crying, having missed out on receiving one.
“But in an act that you don’t see too often, a 14-year-old took off his jersey and handed it to the crying five-year-old.
“Its acts like this that really bring you back to earth and let you appreciate what we have here in Australia.”
During the past couple of years, the club has also sent jerseys to the people of Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.