The charity benefiting from this year’s fundraising is the Butterfly Foundation which supports people affected by eating disorders. The foundation was chosen by the rugby league club due its association with the Preston family, local residents who lost their sister and daughter Tamika last year after a long battle in and out of hospitals and clinics with anorexia nervosa. Tamika tragically passed away at the age of 22.

“We will never understand how or why Tamika had to suffer and why it took over her mind and ruined her life while shattering ours in the process,” her mother Mandy said.

“Our family is so grateful to the Gloucester Magpies for this charity day raising awareness for sufferers and their families to help the Butterfly Foundation.”

Last year the charity raised a large sum for the Curtis Landers Appeal after the Forster teenager suffered serious spinal injuries during a rugby league game in Port Macquarie.

“We always try to link the cause with something local. We get huge crowds,” Magpies’ president and player Mathew Higgins said.

A draw card for the two thousand or so spectators expected is the rivalry between Gloucesters ‘Magpies’ and Stroud’s ‘Raiders’, who will be playing the main match. Warming up the ground beforehand will be the junior games of the Under 8s, 9s, and 12s, all played on homeground. Forster are also sending in a busload of supported including their club’s coach.

Visitors are asked for a gold coin at the gate and encouraged to buy raffle tickets on the day. Magpies players will be wearing Butterfly Foundation shorts and socks which will either be auctioned off to the public or bought by each player. Club sponsors will be feted during the events in a VIP tent.  The main match will kick off at 2.30pm at the Bert Gallagher Oval.