Carlton’s season of giving was on full display on Wednesday evening, with Dennis Armfield handing over a $20,000 cheque to Odyssey House Victoria.

The money formed part of Armfield’s prize for taking home the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award on Brownlow night.

For the past two years, Armfield has been a volunteer and official ambassador for Odyssey House Victoria, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation support service. The 28-year-old is passionate about removing the stigma around addiction and offering practical support.

The presentation of the cheque coincided with Carlton’s networking and mentoring program, designed to connect players and staff with a cross section of the community.

Janet Beaumont, the Director of Development at Odyssey House, says they are extremely grateful to Armfield and already have a few ideas about how the money could be spent.

“Given that Dennis has been volunteering at our residential rehabilitation facility, we will probably put the money towards a project there,” Beaumont said.

“We currently have a dilapidated tennis court that could be repurposed into a multi-sport court, which would be quite fitting given Dennis’ sporting link.”

Although the cheque means a great deal, Beaumont says it’s about “so much more than the money”.

“By winning the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award, Dennis was deservedly recognised for his commitment and work with Odyssey House, while helping to bring awareness to the cause of drug and alcohol addiction – and challenging the stigma that goes along with that,” Beaumont said.

Beaumont recalled watching the Brownlow count at home on TV, and says her phone didn’t stop ringing when Armfield was announced as the recipient of the community leadership award.

“I sent Dennis a text giving our congratulations but also received quite a few text messages and phone calls from Odyssey colleagues as well as friends to say how pleased they were,” she said.

“We were all behind him that night because he deserved the award so much, not just for the work that he does with us, but for his continued commitment to the cause.”

After the mentoring session finished, Beaumont and Armfield attended the annual Odyssey Graduation.

Residents who have completed the program then lived drug fee in the outside community for a year, receive a certificate to commemorate their achievement.

“Dennis is part of the Odyssey family now and as such, raced across to attend the ceremony and help celebrate some of the journeys of people he has got to know during his time with us,” Beaumont said.

Carlton’s spirit of giving will continue this weekend, with Armfield and Cameron Wood heading into Bourke Street Mall to sell copies of The Big Issue.