Cricket club backs a little battler

THE family of a young boy diagnosed with Leukaemia has been overwhelmed by the support of a local cricket club.
The Narre Warren South Cricket Club raised a massive a $23,850 for the Sleep family during a fun event on Sunday which included activities and Twenty20 match between Narre Warren South and St Andrew’s.
Seth Sleep is only six years old, but has proven a strength and determination well beyond his age.
The young Narre Warren South resident was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia on 13 May last year and has been in and out of hospital for radiation and chemotherapy since 15 May.
Seth’s school, Trinity Catholic Primary, rallied together to raised funds to help him and the family. His father Simon has been working hard to provide for the family, while his wife Nikki juggles carrying for their son and 22-month-old daughter Holly.
Cricket Australia has also shown their support from the first day they had contact with the family. In October, Ms Sleep wrote to them asking about the MILO in2Cricket program and expressed an interest in Seth joining for a few games. The club then organised to waive any fee and have since been a major support to the family.
They have arranged for the family to attend a Bushrangers game, a Renegades game, had Seth meet the Melbourne Stars players and receive a signed cricket bat at a Casey Family Fun day and members of cricket club community organised a working bee at the family home when Mr Sleep hurt his back in a car accident before Christmas.
“The world fell apart the week (Seth was diagnosed),” Mr Sleep said.
“All the support brings a tear to my eye. Saying thanks doesn’t seem like enough.”
Mr Sleep said the Narre Warren South Cricket Club’s latest show of support on the weekend was extremely uplifting for Seth.
“It was very emotional, but Seth had a ball,” Mr Sleep said.
“He had a ball (on the giant slip and slide). He didn’t wind down until 9.30pm that night.”
The event was led by club president Nathan Tracy and his committee. Victorian Bushrangers Rob Quiney, Michael Hill and Clive Rose attended the event to sign autographs and take photographs with the kids as well as getting involved in the fundraising activities.
Cricket Australia participation growth leader Aaron Dragwidge said ABC 3 children’s TV presenter Amberley Lobo also volunteered her time to be at the event and he thanked her and everyone who participated in the day.
“Congratulations to the Narre Warren South Cricket Club and everyone involved in making this event a huge success and a life-changing day for the Sleep family. It is both mind boggling and inspiring to think that the club only met the Sleep family in late October 2012 when Seth joined their MILO in2Cricket program,” Mr Dragwidge said.
“Cricket truly is a powerful vehicle.”