On the morning of the Brownlow Medal vote count, Joel Selwood made a surprise phone call to this year’s Cats Community Best and Fairest Award winner.

Our worthy winner, Jim Sheedy, received two complementary tickets to this year’s Sage Institute Carji Greeves Medal night after being nominated by his daughter Kylie.

Please see below for the nomination letter that won our hearts. Jim had no idea the competition was even being held, he was only told to stay close to the phone. Click on the video above to catch his reaction. If you wish to join the evening too, click here. Tickets are still selling.

My name is Kylie Sheedy and I would like to nominate my Dad Jim Sheedy for the Best & Fairest Community Award.

My Dad is a passionate Cats Supporter and has been following the Cats from when he was a small child. (He is now 59)

After growing up in an Orphanage in Geelong, my Dad's only escape from his horrible childhood was football and being able to watch the Cats play even if it was from afar.

My Dad grew up and made a life for himself and fathered four daughters to my mother and they have now been married 40 years.

My dad decided that he would do whatever he could to assist children from having a terrible childhood like his own and decided, along with my mum, to become Foster Carers.

In all their 20 years of being Foster Carers, they have had over 30 children come through their home and are currently caring permanently for a special needs child. My Dad has got her involved in Auskick and takes her to many special events and games at Simonds Stadium. He even purchased her a membership to the club, so she too can share his passion for the Cats.

Not only has my Dad had the pleasure of raising four of his own daughters, he is now taking on the responsibility of raising another daughter whose needs require him to be patient, understanding and an excellent role model.

My Dad goes out of his way to help children who are less fortunate than others and is always saying yes to caring for other children even if it means giving up his seat at the footy.

I would like to nominate my Dad as a candidate for the Best & Fairest Award, because he is always looking after everyone else and is always the first to help someone. He deserves to be treated for a night and I know he would love the opportunity.  

Thank you,

Kylie