The remarkable generosity of the football public continues to shine through, with Taylor Walker’s ‘Mullet Over’ fundraising campaign closing in on $60,000.
After suffering a season-ending knee injury, Walker promised to cut off his trademark mullet if he could raise $50,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation. Walker reached his target a mere three days after launching the campaign on The Footy Show.
Nearly three weeks later and donations are still rolling in at http://www.worldsgreatestshave.com/tex.
More than $700 was also collected in The Shed at Adelaide’s clash with Hawthorn in Round Six. As of Wednesday morning, the total sits at $58,800.
Walker’s junior football club, North Broken Hill, recently kicked in $670 towards the worthy cause. ‘Tex’ is back in his hometown of Broken Hill recuperating from knee surgery, but when he returns to Adelaide he’ll make plans to appear on The Footy Show, where Sam Newman will do the honours of cutting the star Crow’s mullet.
Walker said he was yet to decide whether his mullet would return for season 2014.
“Hopefully, in the next month or so when I can walk and get around a bit better I’ll go on the show and get it cut off,” Walker told the Triple M Rush Hour with Roo and Ditts.
“It’s a good question … I’m not too sure whether I’ll grow the mullet back or not.”
Walker has been confined to the couch at his family home as he recovers from the major surgery. But he was able to leave the house to watch the North Broken Hill Bulldogs, where he won a premiership before relocating to Adelaide.
“The mighty Bulldogs had a win by about 10 goals,” he said.
“I haven’t been able to do much. The first week was pretty tough. My mum and brother came down to look after me in Adelaide and then I came home to Broken Hill last Sunday.
“I’m in a fixed brace and on crutches. I’m looking forward to getting back to Adelaide and seeing the surgeon. He’s going to put me in a hinge brace, which will give me a bit more movement.”
Walker also cast a keen eye over Adelaide’s clash with St Kilda on Sunday. He said he was rapt to see the forward line functioning well in his absence.
“I’ve been watching a few of the boys closely. I’ve been really excited watching Josh Jenkins play. Shauny McKernan has also come in and is starting to find form and we all know about Tom Lynch,” Walker said.
“The best thing is that Lynchy is such a great fella and has worked so hard. I don’t think he’d ever played two AFL games in a row before he came to the club, so to see him getting some consistency footy and playing the way he has been puts a smile on my face.
“It’s hard when you’re sitting back watching the boys have a smile and a laugh, but it’s great for the Club to see the boys back in the form they should be in.”
It's not too late to contribute: to donate please visit www.worldsgreatestshave.com/tex or phone 1800 500 088.
The story behind 'Mullet Over'
A Time for reflection and to consider what is important in life
Through Taylor Walker’s work with the Crows Foundation, he’s met some inspirational children.
Among them is Lilly (pictured), aged 5, who suffers Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL).
Lilly’s eldest brother, Jake, was diagnosed with ALL at three years of age, and when Lilly began exhibiting similar symptoms the family couldn’t believe it was happening to them again.
Jake is now a happy and healthy teenager in full remission. He also happens to be a huge ‘Tex’ Walker fan. Lilly has undergone six months of intensive treatment and still has another two years of treatment to come.
Children like Lilly and Jake have helped Taylor put his recent knee injury into perspective.
“This is nothing compared to what these kids are going through. I’ll be fine,” he said.
Taylor realises he is among the lucky ones and has vowed to find a positive in his season-ending injury by continuing to support children in need.