Armidale Blues are gearing up for one of the biggest events on their calendar in an effort to remember their own.
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The club are set for their annual Soldier On charity fundraiser to honour former junior Michael Fussell, who served in the army in Afghanistan.
Fussell died during active duty as a result of a bomb blast in 2008 and, since his death, the charity was formed to support those who had been affected during their service.
This Saturday the Blues will host Robb College for their round nine fixtures and will raise money for Soldier On by auctioning commemorative jerseys donned by the players as well as the day’s gate takings.
Blues club president Anthony McMillan said they will also be joined by local Australian Air Force Cadets on the day.
“Young Laura Hooper who had the fundraiser for Soldier On for losing her hair last year, we went down there and supported that,” he said.
SEE MORE: Club remembers a soldier
“In return they are going to return the favour and hand out Soldier On bands and they will also be walking around with buckets collecting donations.
“They will also be leading Robb College and our team out into the middle for the Last Post.”
The Blues will also unveil their new digital scoreboard in honour of former Armidale rugby stalwart Peter Byrnes.
In terms of on-field action, the ladder leading Blues will face second-placed Robb coming off a thrilling 45-43 win over arch-rivals St Albert’s College.
“It is a top-of-the-table clash, whoever wins will be on top of the table,” McMillan.
“If we get up over the top of them, we will be a game plus clear but if they beat us they will just be a out in front a bit. We have a few injury problems but that is no excuse of course, we can just bring blokes up from the lower grades.”
The jersey auction will be at the Imperial Hotel from 6pm after the games.