More than $150,000 has been raised through the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation Kick it for Kids campaign as part of the 2026 AFL Gather Round, with the community coming together to support sick children and their families connected to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

As the official charity partner for the 2026 AFL Gather Round, the WCH Foundation set out to help sick kids get back to what they love most: their families, their backyards and their footy. This year’s result reflects a broad community effort, with supporters, businesses and families all playing a part.

The campaign was brought to life through a range of fundraising and family-focused activities. Local venues took part in a friendly fundraising competition, Run 4 Your Club gave footy fans another way to show their team spirit, and the chill-out zone at the Footy Festival created a welcoming space for children and families during the weekend.

Beyond the fundraising total, the campaign also delivered important moments of connection and joy. Children and families were able to step away from the hospital environment to attend games, meet players and take part in a truly special experience at AFL Max created especially for them.

Strong support from partners and the wider community helped drive the result. Peter Kittle Toyota, the campaign’s major dollar-match partner, matched the first $25,000 in donations. Unified Solar Solutions also supported the effort by matching donations up to $5,000.

Local pubs and cafes rallied their communities throughout Gather Round, with SATHU Cafe, the Archer Hotel, the Cathedral Hotel, Royal Copenhagen Semaphore, The District at SkyCity, the Seacliff Hotel and The Highway all helping to raise funds and awareness for sick kids and their families. Venues donated proceeds from sales and backed the campaign in creative ways, with one publican even shaving his head to help raise funds for sick kids.

The campaign also drew strength from families willing to share their stories. Jude, Daisy, Tara and Sam helped put a human face to the appeal, reminding supporters why it matters to help children get back to the people and places where they feel strongest and safest.

With more than $150,000 raised, this year’s Gather Round campaign showed what can happen when a community backs families through difficult times. The support generated over the weekend will help deliver care, comfort and meaningful moments for children and families well beyond the final siren.

For the second consecutive year, the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation proudly partnered with the AFL as the official charity partner for the 2025 AFL Gather Round. From 10 to 13 April, thousands of footy fans, corporate supporters, and community champions “Gathered Round their Hospital” to make a difference for children and their families.

As the official charity partner of this much anticipated event, the Foundation invited all footy goers to “Kick It For Kids.” The campaign encouraged fans to donate the equivalent of a goal ($6) in support of children and families at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. With an initial target of $20,000 or 3,000 goals, the campaign’s results far exceeded expectations.

Together, we raised over $114,000, the equivalent of 19,000 goals kicked for kids.

This achievement was made possible thanks to the generous backing of Peter Kittle Toyota, who matched donations as the Matched Giving Partner. AFL CEO Andrew Dillon also contributed in a big way, pledging $1,000 for each goal scored in the Collingwood vs Sydney Swans game, adding an impressive $28,000 to the fundraising total. South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, also stepped onto the field and made an incredible commitment to match every dollar donated to the “Kick It For Kids” initiative.

At the heart of the “Kick It For Kids” campaign was the Purling family, hero ambassadors who shared their deeply personal story. Both of their sons, James and Jack, were born prematurely with Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia (NAIT), a rare and life-threatening condition. 

For families like the Purling’s, this campaign was about more than just raising money. It was about lifting spirits and providing hope. Donations directly support initiatives that help kids leave the Hospital sooner, reuniting them with their families, backyards, and footy games. 

Thanks to the incredible community of supporters and the magic of footy, we showed once again that when we stand together, no child gets left behind.