Incredible generosity from Geelong Cats members, partners, supporters, and the wider community has seen the Club exceed its $1 million fundraising target for its Cats Community Programs.

The A Million Reasons Why – Cats Community Giving Day was held on Tuesday, 28 June, with the aim to raise $1 million to sustain the Cats’ Community Programs for the next three years and make a positive impact in the wider Geelong community.

With generous Matchers pledging their support to quadruple the impact of donations made on the day, the Cats were able to raise more than $1.2 million in 12 hours.

The Cats Community Giving Day kicked off at 8.00am AEST on Tuesday and concluded at 8.00pm. Every dollar raised will go directly to the Geelong Cats Community Foundation, which supports the Club’s suite of community programs that focus on engaging and empowering the Geelong community to thrive in building healthy, active, and inclusive lives.

Geelong Cats Chief Executive Steve Hocking thanked all those who supported the Giving Day and donated.

“We are extremely grateful to all those who believe in the work we do in the community and have donated today,” Hocking said.

“We know that our Club and community go hand-in-hand, which is why we are so proud of our Cats Community programs and the positive impact they have.

“From helping to educate and empower young people to live healthy and active lives through our Cats Learn programs, to creating meaningful connections and a sense of belonging through our Cats Connect programs and continuing our 163-year tradition of helping bring joy to those who need it most with our Cats Care programs, community underpins what we value as a Club.

“To all those who generously donated to support our Cats Community programs to allow us to keep doing the work we do in the community, we say thank you.”

The $1 million target was reached with 1.5 hours remaining in the 12-hour window. The total raised through the Cats Community Giving Day was more than $1.2 million.

Saturday’s match vs North Melbourne will be the Club’s Community Challenge Match Day – whereby the Geelong Football Club will thank all those who generously donated.