The players put on a clinic for 45 children as part of LeasePlan’s Carn the Kids program – Macmillan delighted to play his part in a fantastic initiative.
“To see all the kids enjoying their time at the club so much is always rewarding for the guys,” he told NMFC.com.au.
“They always have a great time and it’s really satisfying to give back to them and remember what we play football for. It’s not just about playing games and training - the young fans are just as important.”
LeasePlan’s Carn the Kids in partnership with North Melbourne helps provide fun experiences for children involved in organisations such as Camp Quality, HeartKids, Mirabel, The CREATE Foundation and Variety. The players make sure the time the kids spend at Aegis Park is unforgettable.
“A small thing like a two hour footy clinic really does have a positive impact on these kids’ lives,” Belinda Hughes from LeasePlan said.
“A couple of years ago we had a 14-year-old boy in foster care who had dropped out of school come along to this football clinic. He had such a great time with the players and other kids that on the way home he told his carer he was thinking about going back to school and getting his apprenticeship.”
Some of the youngsters had never been to a game of football, until Carn the Kids and North Melbourne provided a special opportunity.
“It’s a credit to the club, because the players run the whole thing fantastically, from the football clinic to the tour, to them interacting and knowing the kids’ names by the end of it," Hughes added.
“Over the years we’ve had kids who barracked for other clubs, but now after experiencing an up close and personal experience like this, they've switched to North Melbourne.
“For some of the families, getting the chance to head along to the football is a big deal. They get to spend time with like-minded kids as well, so they feel like they’re not alone. They’re not the only ones who are in foster care or have a sick brother or sister in hospital.”
Carn the Kids has entertained more than 23,000 kids and carers at fun days out across the country for the past 11 years.
This season, North Melbourne and Carn the Kids will host five memorable days at the footy in Melbourne, Hobart and Adelaide.
