Yorke Peninsula Soccer Charity Event, Ava’s Round, to Support The Red Tree Foundation
A very special soccer round is being planned on the Yorke Peninsula in April — and it’s about a whole lot more than what happens on the scoreboard.
Ava’s Round, to be held on April 26 in Kadina, is a tribute to three-and-a-half-year-old Ava Ferguson. It’s a way for her parents, Josh and Britney, to honour her memory while supporting other South Australian families navigating grief.
Funds raised throughout the day will go to The Red Tree Foundation, which provides free support and affordable grief counselling to families experiencing loss.
Josh and Britney lost their daughter in a road crash on the Yorke Peninsula last October. They say the support they’ve received from the local community — particularly through soccer and the CFS — has been their saving grace.
A Day Inspired By One Of Ava’s Favourite Pastimes…Shopping
With her blonde curls, blue eyes and big smile, Ava was, in Josh’s words, “a bright and bubbly, sassy, intelligent, kind and caring little girl” — a social butterfly who made friends wherever she went.
She loved kicking the soccer ball with her big brothers, baking with her mum Britney, and taking charge of the shopping with a purse full of coins and a basket in hand.
So it’s only fitting that Ava’s Shop will be the heart of the charity soccer round.
Everyone is welcome, with keyrings, lucky dips, lucky squares, face painting and a big kicks competition all on offer, alongside “Nanna with the Turtle’s” homemade beanies and cookies.
A silent auction and soccer club raffle will also feature some huge prizes, thanks to generous donations from businesses from the bottom of the Yorke Peninsula to the top — and everywhere in between.
Every dollar raised through “Ava’s Shop”, will go directly to The Red Tree Foundation.
Turning Grief Into Support For Other Families
Josh, a local farmer and valued member of the Curramulka CFS, says Ava also dreamed of becoming a firefighter just like her dad.
Reflecting on the months since Ava’s passing, Josh said finding a new kind of normal has been incredibly tough.
“We’ve had so much support. People we barely knew would stop by just to check in, and continue to do that now. To have that support at the bare minimum, has been phenomenal for us.”
But he and Britney couldn’t shake the feeling that there might be other parents going through something similar who don’t know where to turn for help.
That’s why they’ve chosen to The Red Tree Foundation, Josh said while counselling was a service he was hesitant to access at first, it had been one that had helped immensely.
With the Foundation fully backing the event, Ava’s Day will also include on and off-field dedications, plenty of splashes of pink, and kids’ activities aimed at bringing the community together.
“Keeping Ava’s magic alive is the ultimate end goal,” Josh said.
Ava’s Round
WHEN: April 26
WHERE: Copper Coast Sports & Leisure Centre (hockey field)
MORE INFO: Click Here
For more of what’s happening on the Yorke Peninsula click here
