It’s taken a pandemic to halt the Sleapy’s Day juggernaut not once, but twice, in the past couple of years.
After COVID-19 derailed the much-loved fundraiser in 2020, organisers were reasonably confident this season’s edition – featuring the South Newcastle Lions and long-time foes Western Suburbs Rosellas – would return to the Real NRL calendar at Townson Oval on Saturday 17 July.
But, the Sleapy’s Foundation board and Sleapy’s Day committee made the tough decision on Friday evening to postpone the event until a later date.
There’s every hope it will still go ahead in 2021 as soon as the situation in Greater Sydney improves, according to chairman David Fleming.
“We’re saddened to reschedule it; however, it’s not cancelled,” he said.
“As everyone’s aware, the NSW Government extended the stay-at-home orders until 16 July, with additional restrictions.
“Given the uncertainty of the immediate future, the Sleapy’s Foundation decided it was in the best interests for the health and safety of all our Sleapy’s Day family to postpone it.
“When you weigh up the current situation, our event is something that brings people together.
“But, unfortunately, COVID-19 keeps everyone apart.
“The foundation will adjust, diversify and continue to be unique and find ways to fundraise and support those in the community.
“We hope people understand our position.”
Only last month, the man behind the charity and cancer survivor, Peter Sleap, said he was proud of what the not-for-profit organisation had achieved.
“It means a lot to me because it’s grown so much,” he told the Newcastle Weekly.
“It began with 30 people, raising $7,000 – now we attract between 4,000 and 5,000 people [to the game] and raise hundreds of thousands for cancer sufferers and people facing adversity.
“I can’t speak highly enough of Souths.
“When a club like that gets behind you, it not only feels great, but you want to give back any way you can.
“We’ve now opened up an office [for Sleapy’s Foundation] at Souths Merewether.
“That’s where our roots are.
“And, the partnership between Sleapy’s Foundation and Souths means so much to me.”
In just a decade, Sleapy’s Day has amassed and distributed more than $750,000.
“My wife, Robynn, and I created it in 2010, a year after I was diagnosed with throat cancer,” he said.
“While I was undergoing radiation and chemotherapy, some footy mates of mine – and the Lions fraternity – rallied together to raise funds to assist my medical expenses and other necessities through a sports luncheon featuring North Queensland Cowboys duo Peter Parr and Jonathan Thurston.
“I was overwhelmed by their generosity, it was completely unexpected, and it meant the world to Robynn and I.
“Once I improved, I felt compelled to repay the club – and it just grew and grew.
“So, we thought, let’s make a charity out of it.
“You know, form something good from a bad situation and start helping others with cancer.”
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