Brighton match Mat Ryan and Aaron Mooy’s donation to raise around £15,000 to help fight Australian wild fires
BIG-HEARTED Brighton have matched the personal donations of Aussie pair Mat Ryan and Aaron Mooy to help fight the bushfire crisis Down Under.
Seagulls keeper Ryan pledged £265 - 500 Australian dollars - per save made by any keeper during last weekend’s round of Premier League games.
After 56 saves made, the total came to around £15,000.
He and midfielder Mooy had already made big contributions via the Australian players’ association.
Brighton matched their stars’ generosity with a donation to Wires Wildlife Rescue.
And stopper Ryan, 27, said: “I’m blown away. It is a phenomenal gesture and I would like to thank the club.”
Before the weekend's action, Ryan took to Instagram to share the news of his kind donation.
He wrote: "In light of the devastation caused by the bushfires back home, I’m donating 500 Australian dollars for every registered save by all Premier League goalkeepers across every @premierleague fixture for this weekend.
"I’ve chosen to donate to the @wireswildliferescue emergency fund.
"Thank you to all for your support thus far and as a nation we really do appreciate your gratitude and generosity.
"However there continues to be homes lost, lives of both people and animals lost or in danger, along with whole communities, businesses and more.
"I hope we can continue in the same manor and continue to encourage and influence people into raising money for those affected.
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"Other places you’re able to donate can be found in the links in their bios on Instagram or visiting their official webpages.
"Fingers crossed relief is on its way."
Ryan's revelation comes just as Australian cricket legend Shane Warne sold his famous baggy green cap for a staggering £500,000.