MEMBERS of a Millicent sporting group have recently opened their hearts to their youngest player as he embarks on a fundraising venture later this month.
Sam Linton has a target of $500 to boost the coffers of the Canteen charity and almost half has already come from his fellow members of the Millicent and District Darts Association.
A $200 donation was recently presented to a grateful Sam as a recent darts night at the McLaughlin Park clubrooms of the Millicent United Soccer Club.
Canteen supports young people who are either directly affected by cancer or touched in another way through a family member.
For Sam, his association with Canteen started a few years ago as his respected father Bazz died of brain cancer in 2014.
The 16-year-old has since been involved in a number of Canteen-staged residential camps across the state.
He said they have provided great support to him.
“The camps are places where people are non-judgemental,” Sam said.
“At the last camp, our group decided that it wanted it to be a place for happy vibes.”
To ensure the work of the Canteen organisation can continue, Sam is joining in the annual City-Bay Fun Run in Adelaide on September 17.
The distance should be no problem for Sam as he plays soccer in Millicent each winter and is currently trying out for selection in the Under 16 national squad of the Christian Football Federation of Australia.
He has also followed in his late father’s footsteps each summer with the Tantanoola Cricket Club.
As part of Sam’s fundraising ventures, he is selling decorative bandanas and “rattling the collection tin” at a market night at the Millicent and District Community Club.
One of his school mates at St Martin’s Lutheran College in Mount Gambier will be sharing the proceeds of a food stall for the Leukaemia Foundation with Canteen.
Sam is grateful for this support from Josh Pahl and all others who are backing Canteen with donations.
Millicent and District Darts Association assistant secretary Judy Wilkes said her club had never before made a donation of this nature.
However, Ms Wilkes said the members of the club decided to do so given the nature of the charity as well as the high esteem in which Sam is held.
She said Sam had been embraced by the darts players after he joined the club following his father’s death.
“Sam always tries hard and has a gentlemanly approach to the game,” Ms Wilkes said.
“He is a credit to his parents.
“Darts games start and finish with a handshake and it is all about patience and self-control.”
