Western Bulldogs supporters urged to be a buddy

Footy fans are seeking buddies to accompany them to games – and it would help if you support the Western Bulldogs.

Footscray-based annecto, which supports older people, carers and people with disabilities across the western suburbs, is looking for volunteers who love a football match.

Community inclusion co-ordinator Helen Kowalyk says the organisation has a lot of clients who are enthusiastic Doggies supporters.

“Anyone who goes with them would go in on a companion card – their costs would be covered,” she said.

“What we’re looking for, and what our volunteer program’s aiming to do, is match people up with similar interests.

“We want to do the things the volunteers are interested in doing and match them up, so as a volunteer they get the opportunity to do something they like, but meanwhile they’re supporting someone with an intellectual disability, they’re creating opportunities for them to get out in the community, to meet new people, do something they love that otherwise they might be missing out on.”

Ms Kowalyk said there were other volunteering opportunities such as going to the movies and playing chess.

“We have a gentleman on the autism spectrum and he loves to play chess, so we’re trying to find a chess volunteer for him,” she said.

“Someone who could meet him at a local library and give him a game.”

For more information, call 96877066.