The AFL season suspension has temporarily put the brakes on West Coast wingman Andrew Gaff’s hard-running feats, but it hasn’t stopped the Eagles teaming up with AGL and Foodbank WA to tackle hunger in the community.

With many people doing it tough during the COVID-19 crisis, West Coast’s premier partner AGL has generously committed $20,000 up front to the Metres for Meals program.

Over the past two seasons, Gaff racking up kilometres during home games at Optus Stadium has helped provide meals for those in need, based on the territory he covers.

Nearly $70,000 has been donated by AGL to Foodbank WA to purchase 139,222 meals and a further $20,000 will be given up front instead of at the end of the 2020 season.

“Can’t wait to be back out there playing again at Optus (Stadium), and also help raising money for Foodbank for Metres for Meals again for the rest of the season,” Gaff said.

“AGL have been awesome so far, they’ve donated $20,000 up front so I’ll be running very, very hard once we get back out there playing.”

West Coast General Manager Community and Game Development Richard O’Connell was thrilled the club and AGL were able to extend a helping hand.

”This is a terrific initiative by our premier partner AGL at a time when so many people in the community are struggling,” O’Connell said.

“By donating $20,000 up front to Foodbank WA via the Metres for Meals program while the AFL season is suspended, West Australian families in need will receive support right when they need it most.

“We are thrilled to support the wider WA community thanks to AGL’s generosity.”

AGL General Manager Customer Strategy and Marketing Alison Wild said AGL was pleased to bring forward the donation so that Foodbank WA can get this support now.

“We are proud to honour our commitment to Western Australian’s largest food relief charity by providing the funds up front,” Ms Wild said.

“This would have been the third year in which we made a donation, based on the distance covered by Andrew Gaff at home games.

“The COVID-19 virus has delayed the AFL season but also affected Foodbank, which is experiencing a food donation shortage.

“This influenced our decision to bring the payment forward but we are also looking forward to seeing Gaffy get back on field.”

Foodbank WA CEO Greg Hebble said: “It’s such a challenging and uncertain time for everyone at the moment, so we are incredibly grateful to have partners like AGL and the West Coast Eagles who have Foodbank top of mind no matter what and continue to do all they can to help those who are experiencing hunger in the WA community.

“It’s nothing short of amazing.”