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Fundraising Event
Whilst I have been aware of epilepsy my entire life, it was never something I thought would directly impact my family.
Not because we were naïve enough to think it couldn't happen to us, but simply because there was no reason to believe it would. There was no family history, no known genetic link, and no distant relatives living with epilepsy.
Then, in 2022, my wife Danielle was diagnosed with epilepsy.
Three years later, our youngest child, Dylan, received the same diagnosis.
Both diagnoses came completely out of the blue. There were no obvious warning signs, no clear explanation, and no reason to suspect what was coming. Overnight, our family found ourselves navigating a completely different reality and learning to adapt to a new normal.
As we began educating ourselves about epilepsy, one statistic stopped us in our tracks:
Approximately 1 in 25 Australians will be diagnosed with epilepsy during their lifetime, making it the most common serious neurological disorder in Australia.
That's why I've decided it's time to do something out of the ordinary.
I've decided to help raise funds and awareness for the Epilepsy Foundation, supporting the millions of Australians affected by epilepsy—including two of the most important people in my world.
Kicking Goals for Epilepsy – Every Goal Counts
My challenge is simple:
I will kick 1,000 goals at Airport West Football Club, Etzel Reserve, where I proudly volunteer as a junior coach and support my son as a player.
You can support the cause by pledging an amount for every goal I kick.
For example:
- $0.10 per goal = $100 donation
- $0.20 per goal = $200 donation
- $0.50 per goal = $500 donation
Every goal kicked brings us one step closer to raising awareness, funding vital research, and improving support for those living with epilepsy.
For Danielle, for Dylan and for the 1 in 25 Australians whose lives are touched by epilepsy!!
Details of goal kicking are as follows:
Where: Airport West Football Club - Etzel Reserve - Etzel Street, Airport West
When: August 1, 2026 - Frist attempt at goal at 08:00am
This event will be streamed on socials to ensure those that can't make it can watch my progress - sure to be a barrel of laughs.
Together, let's kick some goals and help create a better future for everyone living with epilepsy.
Thank you to my Sponsors
$1.04k
Ausfield Lubricants
$540
Melina Rossi
Great cause David! With love Elio & Melina x
$269.13
The Tobins
Awesome effort Dave. Inspirational coach, father and husband.
$269.13
The Payet Family
Good on ya mate! Love from all of us. Marc, Ivy, Jamie and Jessie xx
$216.50
Anonymous
I’ll always be thankful for what you’ve done and what you’re doing. You’ve helped so many people along the way, and this is just a message to let you know that it will never be forgotten or go unnoticed. Thank you David !
$216.50
Andre Mazzella & Family.
Dave is one of the best blokes you will come across. Great work Dave. 💪
$163.43
Anonymous
We are deeply thankful for your efforts. We have a son who is living with Epilepsy and stumbled accross your fundraiser via social media. Thank you for your efforts and wish you and your family all the best.
$162.75
Ethan
What a fantastic thing you are doing. Good luck with your goal kicking and fundraising.
$150
Andjela, Jovana & Vasilije Lekic
Love your work David. Raise awareness for the Epilepsy Foundation. Your passion and commitment are making a genuine difference, helping educate people, break down stigma, and give a voice to those living with epilepsy. 💜
$128.10
Anonymous
Top up to bring you to 7K - what an outstanding effort by you and all that supported you in your vision. Well done 👏
$106.75
Mia Anastasiou
Great work Uncle Dave! ♡
$106.75
Donation Box
$106.75
Georgia Exposto
The fact that you don’t hesitate to put yourself out there to support and fundraise is amazing and speaks volumes to your character. Well done :)
$106.75
Dimitri Costa
$106.75
Anth & Jen
Anything for a good cause….. And to see you wear a Collingwood jumper ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
$106.75
Alan Gaff
Really proud of you brother, raising money for a cause that we all need awareness on. Good luck snagging those 1000 goals
$106.75
Frank Papaleo
Good luck!
$106.75
David Mardini - Biscuit Sales
Thank you to my collogues for snapping up the beautiful biscuits made by Two Little Figs Cakes And Events I had with me today in record time :)
$106.75
Darren Baillie
Well done mate
$106.75
Yola Mardini
Love you
$106.75
Mary Karatzas
Here’s to 1,000 goals, you’ve got this! Such a great cause, well done David! 💜
$106.75
The Spiteri Family
From the Spita Family xxxx
$106.75
Adam Schembri
This is a fantastic initiative by you Dave. True legend all the best.
$106.75
Salim
Love your work Davo 😘
$106.12
Jj And Anne- Marie
$106.12
Pat
Saw your post on TikTok. My wife also has Epilepsy and I thank you for raising awareness. If I am selected you should wear a Brisbane NRL or AFL jersey (We're from Brisbane) Great work David.
$106.12
Joseph
Well done Dave. Carlton Jumper for goal 999, but do a siuuuu celebration.
$106.12
Gary
On ya Dave. Doing a great thing. Wear your cricket whites and helmet for goal 999 😀
$106.12
Susan Mardini
You never hesitate to step up and support those in need. Proud of you for always doing your part and raising awareness for such an important cause.
$104.35
Luca Fugaro
We wish you all the very best as you aim to kick 1000 goals this Saturday. Such a great cause. Good luck from The Fugaro Family.
$100
David Mardini
$100
Phil Absolom
Keep smashing it brother!!
$100
Alan Muscat
Amazing work for a great cause bud!!! Good luck tomorrow, I am sure you will smash it...
$82.13
Anonymous
Outstanding!!
$82.13
Anonymous
$66.73
Anonymous
Ribbon Sales - Thank you to all who have purchased a Purple ribbon so far. 💜
$61.36
Toni & Frank
Good luck David. Kick straight!
$55.95
Patrick Derks
$55.95
Christian And Ava Youssef
Well done dave Keep up the good work
$55.95
Nat Batty
$55.95
Peter Soccio
Best of luck mate.
$55.95
Sonia Yarak
Always doing amazing work Love you David
$55.95
Xave & Josiah
We love you Unc!!! Xave & Josiah
$55.95
Elvis & Michelle
$55.95
Katie Murray-fawcett
$55.95
Joe, Giulia And Patrick Youseef
This is a fantastic cause David goodluck with it all.
$54.84
Dean Hamilton
Well done David!! Get the Ice bath ready!!
$54.84
Nathan Borg
Always doing your part Davey! Love it brother 💙💛
$54.84
Marleine Porcellato
Keep kicking goals x
$54.84
Sheran Hopman
Best of luck mate. Great work raising awareness and support for such an important cause.
$54.84
Michelle
$54.84
Adrian Hood
Much love to you and the family my brother!
$54.84
Christine Price
What a great initiative and great cause. Thank you for your shining a light on EP.
$54.84
Simon Grigg
Good luck with your fundraising efforts. Thanks for raising awareness. My daughter has epilepsy and we will attend and cheer you on. 👏💜
$54.84
Patricia Turiello
$54.84
Archie Collins
$54.24
Joe Youssef
Well done Dave, great idea for an important cause. Kick straight 🤞
$28.81
Serge F
$28.81
Aidan D
You’re a legend!
$28.81
Horror
Go Dave!
$28.81
Erin Barnett
Make sure you wear the same boot on each foot! In all seriousness, great cause and a great way to raise awareness 🫶🏼
$28.43
Peter Tawil
Well done brother. Good luck
$28.43
Etch
$25
Jules
$25
Reg
$25
Luke Sutton
$25
Phil Absolom
Doing great work brother!
$12.51
Alannah Mardini
Thank you for always helping the people you love and support them no matter what, you are an amazing role model to both me and my brothers and we love you so much. Gotta get you some pickle juice ready for tomorrow. Love you dad don’t pull a hamy
$11.92
1800 437 453 or (03) 8809 0655
donations@epilepsyfoundation.org.au
We are all so proud of everything you do to try and help as many people as you can. You are an inspiration brother 🙏💙