2023 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award winner Sam Docherty has officially presented a $40,000 donation to his chosen charities after claiming the prestigious award at last year’s Brownlow medal.

With representatives from the AFL, Jim Stynes Foundation and both charities gathering at IKON Park for the presentation, Docherty donated $30,000 to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation and $10,000 to MacKillop Family Services.

Peter Mac is a charity close to the All-Australian’s heart after recovering twice from testicular cancer. His inspirational story became a beacon of hope to those battling illness and led to multiple fundraising campaigns within the football community.

03:42

Inspirational Docherty wins Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award

Carlton gun Sam Docherty receives the 2023 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award.

The $30,000 donation coupled with the $220,000 he raised via the ‘Do It For Doc’ initiative, brings the 30-year-old’s total contribution to cancer research to an incredible $250,000.

Docherty is also an ambassador for Paws4Kids which is a program run through MacKillop Family Services. The initiative allows more vulnerable children to get back to the classroom through the support of therapy dogs. Docherty’s donation will have a direct impact on the lives of children across the country.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said he was proud to see the positive impact players make in the community as Docherty handed over the cheques.

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Sam Docherty nominated for Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award

A leader on the field, an inspiration off it: always willing to make a positive difference, Sam Docherty has been nominated for the 2023 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award.

“The Jim Stynes Community Leadership award has become the pinnacle of recognition for philanthropic achievements in our AFL community, and it’s wonderful Sam was able to meet with representatives from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation and MacKillop Family Services to officially present his donation,” Dillon said.

“I’d like to thank Telstra for its ongoing support of the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award. Their team helps fund the AFL’s portion of the prize money and we’re incredibly grateful for their contribution.”

Chair of the Jim Stynes Foundation, Russel Howcroft said:

"Sam is an incredibly worthy recipient of the 2023 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award.

"It's an honour for us, at the Jim Stynes Foundation, to be able to continue Jim's legacy and help make a difference in the community. I think we can all agree that Sam embodies the spirit of Jim and the values he stood for.

"We hope this donation, with thanks to Telstra, can provide further support for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation and MacKillop Family Services, who both do such important work.” 

CEO of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation, Kate Torney said:

“We are thrilled that Sam has received recognition through the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award for his important work raising funds and awareness for Peter Mac Cancer Foundation.

“Sam is a passionate advocate for men’s health and cancer research, and support like Sam’s is integral to helping Peter Mac researchers to continue to make exciting new breakthroughs, breakthroughs which will improve health outcomes for all people affected by cancer.

“Thank you to Sam, the AFL, the Jim Stynes Foundation, and everyone who “Did it for Doc”, we are so grateful for your support.” 

MacKillop Family Service’s Community Engagement Director Sam Patterson said:

“Sam is an ambassador for our Paw Pals program, which uses therapy dogs to help students stay connected to education, so they can continue learning and build the foundations to achieve the best outcomes in life,” Patterson said.

“With Sam Docherty’s support, MacKillop Family Services has been able to raise more than $1,500,000, which has enabled us to reconnect more than 800 children to their education with the support of therapy dogs. Sam’s support is changing these young kids’ lives.”

About the Jim Stynes Foundation

The Jim Stynes Foundation (JSF) perpetuates the work of the late Jim Stynes. Like Jim, the Foundation believes in the boundless potential of young individuals, and their abilities to overcome challenges and make a positive difference in the world. The Jim Stynes Foundation’s goal is to nurture leadership qualities within every young person, empowering them to become agents of change within their communities. 

Public in nature, the Jim Stynes Foundation is endorsed as a Deductable Gift Recipient (DGR) that distributes funds to its worthy and specifically chosen registered charities which include Melbourne City Mission, Reach and the Santa Teresa Community. As a PuAF the public are invited to and can contribute to the Foundation. Donations can be made via www.jimstynesfoundation.com.au/donate

The Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award is co-funded by the Jim Stynes Foundation and Telstra. Past winners include Geelong Cats’ Joel Selwood (2022), Port Adelaide’s Travis Boak (2021), Richmond’s Bachar Houli (2020), GWS GIANTS’ Stephen Coniglio (2019), Melbourne's Neville Jetta (2018), Port Adelaide's Jack Hombsch (2017), Geelong Cats’ Jimmy Bartel (2016), Carlton's Dennis Armfield (2015), West Coast Eagles' Beau Waters (2014), Gold Coast Suns' Zac Smith (2013) and Richmond's Daniel Jackson (2012).