It’s a phrase long-time community volunteer Chris O’Keeffe has become accustomed to hearing whenever she leaves her home. 

Her remarkable 32 years as a first aid officer for the Thornton Beresfield Bears means that kids from all across the region know of ‘Aunty Chris’. 

Chris was first pitched into the role more than three decades ago by her son when a call for first aid volunteers for the junior rugby league club went out. 

Her son grew up and left the club, but Chris stayed on. 

She admits that when she first started, she never would have guessed she’d be there more than 30 years later.

“They just kept asking for me to stay on for longer and longer,” she laughed.

Chris said it had been easy to stay involved. 

“The group of people that are here are really nice, they are just like a family,” she said. 

In her time at the club, Chris has been there for hundreds of footy-playing children. 

“You see these kids come from under 6s and see them go through to u17s. They change and mature,” she said. 

“There’s boys that I’m treating now whose parents I use to treat!” 

Chris urged parents of players to get involved with clubs in a volunteer role. 

“I’d just like to see more parents get involved. It can be one hour a week – it helps,” she said.

 “It’s like that in every club – ‘I pay fees for my kid so I don’t need to do anything else’ – but every club runs on volunteers.”

Chris said that the Bears were in good hands and now, with her knees giving her grief, was the right time to step down. 

Despite having her winter Saturdays back, Chris will keep a busy schedule. 

“I’ll be watching my grandson play soccer – I’ll be watching from the car though, it’s too cold to be out there,” she laughed. 

Last Saturday was her final regular season game. Fittingly, players and parents formed a guard of honour when she walked off the field. 

It’s not her last commitment for the club though. This weekend she’ll be there, casting a watchful eye over the Bears boys playing in the under 10s and 11s semis. 

“I’ve got to see my boys win!” she laughed.