Top tipper donates winnings

Months spent studying football teams paid off for Darrel Cockram when won the 2013 South Western Times Experts Charity Footy Tipping competition.

The Bunbury Herald and South Western Times football writer loves footy and the Aussie tradition of tipping.

He plans to donate his $500 winnings to a charity close to his heart — the Cystic Fibrosis Federation of WA.

“I chose them because my brother-in-law’s daughter passed away from cystic fibrosis when she was 24 years old,” Mr Cockram said.

“I’m hoping the money will go towards research for a treatment or a much-needed cure.”

This year’s major prize was sponsored by the Dolphin Discovery Centre.

Volunteer coordinator Jan Tierney was pleased to hear the money would be donated to a worthy cause.

“Being a not-for-profit organisation we understand the importance of donations,” she said.

Cystic Fibrosis Federation of WA chief executive Nigel Barker appreciated the donation, saying it would provide hands-on services to the 300-plus WA children and young adults living with the disease.

“Our vision for the future is Lives Unaffected by CF, meaning every baby born today should be able to achieve their full potential unencumbered by the disease,” he said.

“Thank you for thinking of us — people like Darrel and the crew at the South Western Times have taken us one small step closer to achieving that vision.”

He said Cystic Fibrosis was one of the most common lifethreatening recessive genetic conditions for which there was no known cure.

“The disease affects a number of organs, especially the lungs and pancreas by clogging them with thick, sticky mucus,” he said.

“Repeated infections and blockages can cause irreversible lung damage and death.”