If goals weren’t important enough during the 2014 Toyota AFL Finals Series, they just got a little more special thanks to a heart-warming initiative launched today by GMHBA Health Insurance, a 2014 AFL Finals Series partner.

Launching the ‘Kicking Goals for Kids’ initiative today, GMHBA CEO Mark Valena announced that GMHBA will donate $100 to the Geelong Hospital Appeal’s Special Care Nursery for every goal kicked during the 2014 Toyota AFL Finals Series.

“The Geelong Hospital Appeal does amazing work to help kids and their families get the care and support they need locally,” Mark said.

“As sponsors of the goal posts over the finals series, GMHBA wanted to make each goal count and we think this is a great way to do it!

“Kicking Goals for Kids is our way of supporting the 2014 Toyota AFL Finals Series, while giving back to people who really need it, in this case the families relying on Special Care Nursery facilities for their newborn babies.

“We are excited to be working with the Geelong Hospital Appeal and the AFL on this special initiative that combines our love for footy and the health of our community here in Geelong,” Mark added.

GMHBA Ambassador Cameron Ling was also on hand to launch ‘Kicking Goals for Kids’ today and said that he was proud to be involved in such a great community initiative.

”As a new dad I know how important it is to support the wonderful people working in areas such as the Special Care Nursery. I’ll be cheering every goal a little harder knowing just how big a difference that money will make.

“Every footy fan wants to see a free flowing game with lots of goals.  Not only does that mean we get a great game, but now with GMHBA’s Kicking Goals for Kids initiative, the more goals, the more money we will raise,” Cameron said.

Nurse Unit Manager of the Special Care Nursery, Alyson Smith, says that the staff now have a big incentive to watch every final this September.

“The AFL Finals is such an exciting time in Geelong and around the region, and this initiative which will directly impact our Special Care Nursery Redevelopment will make finals even more exciting for the Special Care Nursery team,” Alyson said.

“We will have an even better reason to cheer on every goal. We are so excited that this initiative will help us get closer to our finished Special Care Nursery which will make such a big difference to the families and babies of Geelong and also the staff who work there every day,” Alyson added.

AFL General Manager Commercial Operations, Darren Birch, said ‘Kicking Goals for Kids’ was a welcomed initiative during the AFL Finals Series.

“Anything that assists the vitally important work carried out by University Hospital Geelong is to be commended and the AFL is proud to support this outstanding initiative,” Mr Birch said.

“We’re pleased that the AFL Finals, the biggest stage of the season, will play some part in raising valuable funds for Geelong Hospital Appeal. On behalf of the entire AFL community I congratulate GMHBA for driving this initiative and for positively impacting the lives of many.” 

Based on previous AFL Finals Series, GMHBA expects to raise between $20,000 to $30,000 to be donated to the Special Care Nursery at University Hospital Geelong.

GMHBA is looking for the wider community to also get behind this special community campaign as joint support will see us all ‘Kicking Goals’ together this September.

Through ‘Kicking Goals for Kids’, no matter which teams are playing and who wins, the Geelong Hospital Appeal will receive additional funding for their important work.

To donate, visit gmhba.com.au