A day at the footy brings joy and distraction from everyday life for anyone who attends. That is why Hyundai Help for Kids and the Brisbane Lions pair up at each home game to make sick or vulnerable children and their families’ day extra special.

The Hyundai Help for Kids iView is a special VIP box where guests have the best view in the house, are visited by players and take part in fun activities, all while soaking in the atmosphere of a Brisbane Lions home game.

In 2017, the iView hosted children and their families from Ronald McDonald House, Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, Make-A-Wish Australia, Darling Point Special School, Mater Young Adult Centre, Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation, Down Syndrome Queensland and our very own Lions Academy.

Greg from the Mater Young Adult Centre said it was an unforgettable experience for patients and their families watching the Lions beat the Gold Coast Suns in the second Q Clash for the year.

“For some it was their first time at a game and for all, the first time as a VIP in a box,” he said.

“It’s a wonderful program and offers some respite from the burden of living with a chronic disease.”

In Round 18, the entire stadium joined in the iView’s fun, with Make a Wish Australia and Hyundai Help for Kids hosting a Pirate Party!

All children in the stadium were encouraged to dress up in their most spectacular pirate attire for the chance to win the loot for best-dressed, as Lions players handed treasure chests full of presents following their victory over Carlton. It was an unforgettable afternoon for everyone involved. In addition, through the 50-50 Raffle, the army of Make-A-Wish volunteers, and the generous contribution by our members and fans, Make-A-Wish raised close to $8,000 at the game.

Another highlight for the Lions and Hyundai Help for Kids this year was seeing the excitement on Oliver Fanshaw’s face as he ran on with Lions’ midfielder Ryan Bastinac for his 150th game. Oliver is supported by the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children. His mother Melissa said her son felt incredibly special to share this moment with Bastinac.

“I can’t believe how beautiful Ryan was to Ollie. A true hero.” Melissa said.

“Everyone was very grateful for the amazing experience. This was the ultimate boy's fairytale!”

Other guests throughout the year included Down Syndrome Queensland, “Thank you is not enough, but thank you, you really made our day and night such a treat.”

Students from Darling Point Special School agreed. “Everyone had a great time and the Lions win was the icing on the cake. Some of our students believed the Lions won because the students were there,” Charmaine Driver from the school said.

Ronald McDonald House Queensland also had patients and their families attend a game, “Our families all had such a great time and took home many memories which they will have for life.

Thanks to all involved for giving them such.”

Hyundai Australia’s CSR Manager Ellenore Ibrahim says the iView’s success is a testament to the strong relationship between their organisation and the Brisbane Lions.

“Hyundai Help for Kids iView is in its third season and it just keeps getting better, it’s simply not possible without the passionate support of our friends at the Brisbane Lions – a collaboration like this makes us immensely proud.

“We of course work with our charity partners to support their specific programs but this is a little extra something that we hope the children and their families enjoy – it’s a bespoke and very thoughtful space created to make the kids feel safe and very special and mum and dad get a little bit of time out which equals smiles all round.”

The Lions and Hyundai look forward to entertaining more guests at the Gabba in 2018.