Brisbane Lions’ vice-captain Daniel Rich and teammate James Polkinghorne were taken out of their comfort zone on Tuesday by some newborn Mater babies, as the Club announced a continuation of its partnership with The Mater Foundation for the next three years.
The normally confident Lions duo appeared slightly apprehensive when it came to nursing some very precious cargo, Mater Mothers babies. But both boys proved to be quite the naturals when it came to nursing and hopefully converting some future Lions members.
“I can’t say I’ve really experienced babies much myself. But I suppose there’s a first for everything,” said Rich, who recently committed to the Lions for another three years.
“It’s a fantastic foundation and a great hospital who support people right across Queensland and I love the opportunity to get out to Mater whenever I can.”
Each year, Mater hospitals care for over 300,000 mothers, babies and children from Queensland and northern New South Wales. At Mater Mothers’ Hospitals, the Neonatal Critical Care Unit provides intensive specialist care to 2000 premature and seriously ill babies each year—many of which are flown from regional and remote areas.
Mater has been able to raise an additional $280,000 since they began a partnership with the Brisbane Lions through Mater Prize Home lottery promotions.
Meet Mater's new recruits
A couple of Lions players visited some newborn Mater babies on Tuesday