Denmark-Walpole Football Club hopes to make a big splash with fundraising event in aid of Parkinson’s WA

Denmark-Walpole Football Club is looking to kick Parkinson’s disease out on the full with a big freeze-style event at McLean Park on Saturday in conjunction with the Great Southern Football League fixture.

The club has lined up a dunk tank and myriad raffle prizes to raise money for Parkinson’s WA as the disease has had a major impact on the club.

Those involved as ‘certified splashers’ include club president Sam Keenan, women’s player Bec McDonald and former Mt Barker Bulls guns Shane Kirkwood and Nathan Skinner who have pledged their support.

Local legend Cord Brunnings, who will play his 300th game that day in the reserves’ clash, will also slide down the ramp and into the icy depths.

So far, around $2000 has been raised through sponsorships and donations with the eventual target being $5000.

Organiser Ray Benson said they picked Parkinson’s WA as the charity because of the way the club had been affected by the disease.

Matt Anning is splashing because his father Martin has been diagnosed and Trish Plozza, the grandmother of Jesse and Parris Laurie, passed away from the disease.

Jesse, a former WAFL star with Claremont is now a talented screenwriter, while Parris played football for both Fremantle and West Coast as the trailblazer for women’s footy in the Great Southern.

Club supporter Kellie Bilgic is splashing as her father Rod Burton is also a sufferer.

Mr Benson said he had played footy with Martin Anning at primary school in the 1960s and the pair had combined for the club in the 1978 grand final and their first premiership.

“We thought the cause really resonated with the club because of the people involved,” Mr Benson said.

The fun will start around 2pm on Saturday at the conclusion of the reserves’ contest and before the home side takes on Mt Barker Bulls in the league game.