Jamaine Jones today generously donated $5,000 on behalf of the Geelong Cats playing group, to Barwon Child Youth & Family’s Foster Care Program. 

During the season every player in the AFL contributes $50 from their match fee towards the AFLPA’s Players Care Fund, with each club receiving $10,000 to be donated to a recipient of their choice.

As the 2018 Club Community Champion, Jones was gifted the opportunity to select the organisation of his choice to be gifted the funds. He has decided to split the donation, with $5,000 going towards BCYF and the other $5,000 invested into the Geelong Cats Community Foundation.

Jones is a passionate ambassador for Barwon Child Youth & Family (BCYF), an organisation close to his heart for their commitment to improving the lives of foster children. BCYF’s Foster Care campaign aims to provide more safe, stable and longer-term Foster Care homes for children and young people in Geelong and the Barwon region.    

Jones’ connection with BCYF stems from his own experience growing up. At just seven years old he was brought into foster care, where he spent three years in a group home before he was adopted by Geelong local Sue Lovett, who already had four children of her own.

"Having been a foster child, I've seen the difference adoption can make in someone's life. You can help someone live the life they deserve,” Jones said.

"I'm just so grateful to be able to put this money back into the programs and organisations that need it the most.

“The club’s Community Foundation has provided support for so many people in the region and I just want to help as much as I can.

"Obviously BCYF is close to home for me. The chance to have any impact on their future is what's really rewarding for me and I know how valuable this donation will be to these kids.”

Barwon Child Youth & Family CEO Sandy Morrison thanked Jones for his ongoing commitment to supporting the Foster Care Program.

“BCYF’s Foster Care Program could not have a better Ambassador than Jamaine Jones. We thank and commend him for taking on this important leadership role, one that will have a long-lasting impact for children and young people in care.

“His leadership, spirit and character is a great example of what it means to give to, and support, the Geelong and broader community, and agencies like ours, in a truly meaningful way.”