Peachy shows how Souths Cares

South Cares ambassador David Peachey and former Rabbitohs team-mate Chris McQueen helping kids to mark NAIDOC Week.

READING a book to Coffs Harbour kids yesterday, former South Sydney Rabbitoh David Peachey had a good story to tell.

It was about how much of a difference the Souths Cares program has made in the two years since the Rabbitohs made the coast their home away from home.

“This is about players giving back to the community and as I’ve found out the South Cares program is also about setting up players after their football careers are over,” David said.

“It’s great to be part of this special initiative in which Russell Crowe and the South Sydney board introduced an ambassador. It’s made me realise what a difference you can make in a kid’s life by just turning up as a role model.

While the NAIDOC Week book reading was a highlight for Peachey, and current NRL player Chris McQueen, a more difficult task lay up the road.

Other South Cares commitments involved speaking to juvenile offenders at Grafton’s Acmena Juvenile Justice Centre.

“I want to take a positive message to these kids and especially the young Aboriginal kids in there saying hey it’s NAIDOC Week being in here and offending is not part of our culture,” David Peachey said.

“I hope we can send the message to them that there are more things to life.

“If we can help them realise their dreams and ambitions and break out of that cycle then South Cares is working for them, too.”