FOOTY boots and rugby guernseys, bow ties and ball gowns – while they might not go together, they will of sorts for one weekend.
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Almost one year after his passing, the family and friends of Scotty Campbell are rallying together to raise awareness of depression.
An inaugural memorial football game will be held in his honour during the June long weekend, with the Tamworth Tilehouse and Pulse Kitchens White Elephant Winter Ball to follow.
Scotty, a well-known Tamworth sportsman, lost a very short battle with depression that shocked almost everyone, but it’s this legacy that will hopefully change the future.
“That’s the thing, you have to find some positive from a negative,” friend and committee secretary Samantha Clifton said.
“We’ve previously had the Run for Scotty with the Tamworth Ten and we had an amazing response, and ever since it’s always been about raising awareness.”
Organisers are hoping to get rid of “the elephant in the room” by fundraising for Batyr – a charity aimed at lifting the lid on mental health issues and getting young people to talk.
“Batyr is a relatively new charity and they are all about raising awareness and educating younger people,” Miss Clifton said.
“So their programs actually target school-aged children, and they go into schools.”
A host of sponsors has come on board for the event, but there is always room for more local businesses to come to the party.
The memorial football game will boast plenty of entertainment for all ages off the field, while on the oval, players from the Kings School as well as St Albert’s, Walgett and Pirates rugby clubs – all of Scotty’s former clubs – will kick off on Sunday, June 8, from 11am.
The formal ball will follow and aims to raise as much money as possible.
“Batyr are actually going to implement the programs in local schools,” Miss Clifton said.
“So all the money raised will stay local.”
The ball tickets go on sale today and can be purchased in tables of 10 by emailing whiteelephantball@gmail.com; those with less than 10 can still contact organisers.