West Coast legends gathered at Eagles headquarters this week in aid of the charity campaign, Cans for a Cause, pioneered by former Eagle Don Pyke.

Pyke, who played 132 games for West Coast, has been at the forefront of the Coats for a Cause campaign for the past two years, which has seen West Coast fans donate more than 20,000 articles of clothing for WA’s homeless.

Pyke explains that this year’s change of tack from coats to cans is due to the involvement of charity, Foodbank WA, Western Australia’s largest hunger relief organisation.

“For the past two years the West Coast Eagles have dedicated a match day to Coats for a Cause, where members and fans are encouraged to bring an article of clothing to the game to be donated to West Australians in need,” the dual premiership player said.

“The past two years have been an incredible success. So we of course wanted to do it all again, but thought we’d change it slightly this year and ask people to donate cans of food for WA’s hungry.

“Foodbank rescues edible but surplus food and groceries from the country’s farmers, manufacturers and retailers. Without Foodbank, much of this food would just go to landfill.

“The food is then donated to more than 1,200 charities and 420 schools, and is distributed to adults and children in need.

“There are 13,000 people in WA struggling with homelessness, and nearly 350,000 who are facing the great risk of falling into poverty. It has become increasingly difficult for many low income Western Australians to secure and maintain rental accommodation, let alone purchase a home of their own.

“If we can help in some way, just by bringing a can of food to a football match, then hopefully we make a world of difference to people in need.”

The Cans for a Cause match day will take place in round six when West Coast take on the Western Bulldogs.

Past West Coast players including Pyke, Ashley McIntosh, Phil Matera, Peter Matera, Rowan Jones, Brett Jones, Michael Brennan, Adrian Barich, Dean Kemp and Mitchell White will be stationed around Patersons Stadium accepting canned goods from fans to donate to Foodbank.

Stay tuned to westcoasteagles.com.au for more information.