Melbourne mates on a mission for Jared

Yarra River Business Association (YRBA) president, John Ahern, has launched a charity in bid to help a long time friend.

Along with fellow Publican group director, Steve Garcia, Mr Ahern has established the Melbourne chapter of Mates On A Mission, a non-for-profit charity originally started in Sydney, in order to raise funds for a different yearly cause.

The two men have drawn their inspiration to launch the charity by helping raise funds at an August 1 fundraiser for the son of long-time Publican Group contractor and friend Spiro Bombos.

Four-year-old Jared Bombos suffers a combination of thalassemia and sickle cell anaemia, two inherited red blood cell diseases.

All funds raised at the Charity Gala Night, held at River’s Edge Events, will go towards a vein finder machine and a part-time children’s play therapist for the Medical Therapy Unit at Monash Medical Centre in Clayton.

The vein finder is a revolutionary technology that greatly enhances patient care, safety and comfort by greatly reducing the number of attempts needed to place an IV or needle.

Mates On A Mission was originally launched more than ten years ago by NRL and West Tigers star Robbie Farah and friends Charlie Haddad, Steve Boukaram and George Katrib.

The August fundraiser will be the second major fundraising event for Mates On A Mission and the first for it’s new Melbourne Chapter in a bid to help raise awareness for inherited Red Blood Cell Diseases in Australia.

To find out how to sponsor the evening, donate and more information on the charity visit www.matesonamission.com.au