From Hollywood United Football Club:

As many of you know, Bush fires that exceed any natural disaster in Australian history have devastated the State of Victoria in Australia. Entire towns and communities have been wiped out. The estimated death toll is expected to exceed 300 and there is the inestimable loss of homes, businesses and jobs. The cost of relief for the victims and rebuilding all that was lost will most likely run at $500 Million. Of course, no price can be placed on the loss of family and loved ones and the suffering caused by the loss of your community.

That’s why I’m asking the vast Australian community residing in Los Angeles to join me on February 28 for an afternoon of “Footy and Meat pies.” Hollywood United Football Club, in conjunction with our event sponsor, Aussie airline V Australia, present an afternoon where you can come with your families and watch your favorite Aussie celebs and fellow professionals play a short swift 7 aside tournament against a mix of American celebs and current and former pro soccer players. Participants will include Alexi Lalas, Anna Paquin, Danny Cannon, Billy Duffy, Nuno Bettencourt, Jesse Spencer, Gia Carides, Skeet Ulrich, Christian Olde Wolbers, Ben Lawson, Gilles Marini, Frank LeBoeuf, Richard Gough, Vinnie Jones, Donal Logue, Cameron Daddo, Dominic Purcell, Anthony LaPaglia, Michael Johns, David Lyons, Damon Herriman, Stephen Moyer, Poppy Montgomery, Simon Baker, Chris Harrison, Colin Hay, Gracie Otto, Kym Johnson, Jacqueline McKenzie, Paul Ashton, Suzy DeMarchi, Eric Braeden, Ioan Gruffudd and many more. It will be fast, fun and furious and a great afternoon for the whole family, where the LA Aussie community can join forces with the multi cultural LA American community in a show of support and relief for this terrible tragedy in our home, Australia.

The event will be held at Palisades Charter High School, 15777 Bowdoin Street, Pacific Palisades. The games will kick off at 10:30 a.m. To help raise funds donations will be welcomed at the gate. All money generated on the day will go directly to the Australian Red Cross. Snacks, soft drinks and meat pies will be available for purchase thanks to Foodink Catering and raffle tickets will be sold with various signed items including signed jerseys being offered up as prizes.

Please join me and a host of fellow Aussies in this event. In this time of tragedy and pain let’s do what we’ve always done. Throw in together and show we care.

If you would like to make a donation by check please mail to 11630 Chayote Street, #4. Los Angeles, CA, 90049 and make payable to Australian Red Cross. Ref. HUFC Donation. You can also make donations online at www.redcross.org.au and click ‘Make a Donation’.