It was hard to keep the smile off defender Tom Stewart’s face after he met Malu Hunt on Wednesday morning.
Malu, who is the face of the 2021 Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal, lives with his family in Geelong, and loves the Cats.
The two-year-old, who underwent a hemispherotomy last year as a final solution to treat infantile spasms (a rare type of epilepsy in children), was full of energy as he and older brothers Harlan, 6, and Jarvie, 4, raced around GMHBA Stadium, having a kick with Stewart.
“I wasn’t expecting to come out and train today, but I’ve been running around chasing the boys and taking some photos, having heaps of fun, so I’ve loved it,” the Cats defender said.
“He’s a very brave little man with an amazing family, so it puts a smile on your face.”
Stewart was eager to support the Good Friday Appeal this year, following his baby son Arthur’s time at the Royal Children’s Hospital on his family’s return from the AFL hub last year.
When it was discovered Malu and his brothers were big Geelong Cats fans, the invitation was quickly extended to come and meet Stewart for a special experience at the ground.
“Having some dealings with the Royal Children’s and seeing how amazing they are at their operations up there, it was just an easy one for me to reach out,” Stewart said.
“To meet Malu and his family today has been a lot of fun.
“(It’s) close to my heart, with my little man spending some time up there. It’s an amazing initiative and an amazing appeal that has been going for a long time, so it’s hard not to throw the support behind it.”
