SOME would say Travis Boak’s work on the footy field is like art but he has never considered himself an artist, until now.
Boak picked up a paint brush recently to put into print images of some of his teammates, and all for a worthy cause.
The long-time Childhood Cancer Association (CCA) ambassador joined forces with local artist Marie Glezos to create a print that will take pride of place in any Port Adelaide supporter’s home, with the painting to be raffled off and all money donated to the CCA.
Raffle tickets on sale now | Buy here
“I’ve been working with Childhood Cancer for ten or eleven years now,” Boak said, who knows too well how cancer can impact on a family, having lost his father to the disease when Boak was a teenager.
“They’ve been pretty special in my life and that was something I wanted to involve Marie in, obviously with the art work and giving the money to them as they get no Government funding. All money raised helps sick kids and their families who are going through cancer.
“I was actually following Marie’s page and I actually loved a lot of her artwork and she stumbled across a post that I’d put up that I had been supporting the Childhood Cancer Association and wanted to get involved with the charity and give back in some way with some of the work you’re doing and that’s how it all started.”
Leading into his 300th game, Boak reflected on his own experience of cancer in his family, encouraging people to purchase a raffle ticket.
Tickets are just $10 and limited to just 5,000, giving people a good chance of winning.
The print has been signed by the players who feature on it – Robbie Gray, Tom Jonas, Xavier Duursma and Charlie Dixon.
“It’s not just the kids who need support, it’s the families as well who are going through a pretty difficult time,” Boak said.
“That money raised will help so many families and kids who are going through what too many people in Australia go through with cancer so it is a pretty special piece and something we’re lucky to be involved in.
“To have it signed by players at the club and for someone to have it hanging in their house will be pretty special, especially knowing the (money raised) is going to a pretty worthwhile cause.”
First prize is the signed painting, but also on offer for second prize is a limited-edition Travis Boak 300th game milestone merchandise pack including a scarf, cap, t-shirt and mug valued at $170.
Tickets are $10 each or six for $50.
Ticket buyers will receive their ticket numbers and receipt via email.
The raffle has a total of 2,500 tickets at $10 and is scheduled to close at midnight on Sunday 1 August.
It will be drawn the following day with winners notified immediately.
To get into the draw to win, click here.
