Kicking goals for literacy
Fremantle Docker Clancee Pearce remembers the struggles of a primary school classmate who had dyslexia.
Years later, the 24-year-old and his football teammates are helping children like Pearce's classmate and others like young Otis Maslin, who was also dyslexic and died in the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 tragedy in August.
Today, the Fremantle Dockers, _The West Australian _ and the Harcourts Foundation launch the Kick a Goal for Literacy campaign to raise money for The Mo, Evie and Otis Maslin Foundation and The Dyslexia-SPELD Foundation.
Real estate agency Harcourts will donate $50 to the two foundations for every goal scored by the Dockers this season in the hope of raising $20,000.
Pearce, a father, said he realised the crucial importance of helping children overcome problems early on in their lives, particularly since the birth of his daughter, who is now 16 months old.
Otis was eight years old when he died with his siblings and grandfather Nick Norris when MH17 crashed in Ukraine.
His parents Anthony and Marite have spoken of their struggle to help Otis with his schooling, pointing to a lack of early diagnosis, intervention and help for families.
"Otis did two additional literacy sessions per week, paid for at great expense by us as there is no assistance for families in this situation," they said when they launched their foundation in memory of their children in October.
David McAuliffe, president of the Dyslexia-SPELD Foundation, said the demand for help from WA families was huge.
"We need as much support as we can get because it's a minefield out there for people who need assistance," he said.
"We've recently opened a literacy clinic in Mt Hawthorn, which now has 100 kids on its books after 12 months.
"A new clinic in East Victoria Park has been open two weeks and already 15 to 20 kids are being tutored there. We're looking to open up in Albany as well."
To donate, visit dsf.net.au or call 08 9217 2500
