McKeegan endorses grant program

WESTFIELD Local Heroes winner Damian McKeegan is encouraging people to nominate a champion of their community to receive this year’s $20,000 grant.

McKeegan was crowned the 2024 Westfield Local Heroes winner and was awarded $20,000 for his welfare work at the St Marys Football Netball Club.

Following the suicide of a young player, he initiated support programs at St Marys which address health, drugs and bullying.

“I am very thankful to Westfield for putting this award up,” he said.

“I’m sure people who receive the funding [this year] will use it to help benefit the community.”

Mr McKeegan said his $20,000 grant will be used to further enhance the club’s welfare services throughout the 2025 football season.

“It [the funding] will go a long way toward running some programs representing mental health, drugs and alcohol. These will be run with the senior men and women teams and through to the juniors as well.

“We also plan on having some guest presenters and speakers come along to the club to pass on the messages to our people.”

Nominations for Westfield Local Heroes close on March 13.

The program annually recognises and celebrates individuals and orgsanisations dedicated to their communities.

For more information and to nominate someone, head to westfield.com.au/local-heroes