Ben Foster has the instincts of a football goalkeeper - confident, unflinching and brave to a fault.
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But when the Maitland Magpies goalkeeping strip arrived and it was bright pink the teenager took a backward step.
But not for long, this young shot-stopper is made of stern stuff and the fears of opponents’ taunts were swept aside when he realised he could raise money for the McGrath Foundation by wearing its familiar pink.
“I’m really close to my Gran and she had breast cancer once but has recovered,” he said.
“I couldn’t imagine not having her around. I don’t want anyone else to be in that situation so I decided to raise money for the McGrath Foundation.”
Ben, who plays with the Magpies under-14 team, said his teammates and most opponents were unfazed by the pink strip and hadn’t made a comment.
“One team official had a go at me, when I came off early to play with the under 15s,” Ben recalled.
“I had expected it from fans and opponents but not a team official.
“Anyway a teammate and I told him to get a life and that I was wearing pink to raise money for breast cancer.
“That bloke might not have liked the pink strip, but quite a few girls at school have told me I look really good in it.”
Ben’s mum Tamara Barge said she couldn’t have been prouder of her son for the way he stood up for himself and of course raising money for the McGrath Foundation.
Ben said he had raised money along the way with donation tins at his school and at a number of businesses in Maitland and Newcastle.
His coaches tip in $25 between them when he maintains a clean sheet.
“I’ve kept four clean sheets so far, which isn’t too bad considering we’re coming second last,” he said.
Ben and his family have also started a donation page on the McGrath Foundation website and as his fundraising efforts come to a close would love some extra support.
“I want to support the McGrath Foundation because I believe breast care nurses make a world of difference to the lives of families experiencing breast cancer,” Ben said on the site.
Donations are tax-deductible and a receipt is sent straight away. To donate click here.
