DT38 NEWSLETTER “CHANNEL38” – EPISODE 67
Welcome to the DT38 July 2023 newsletter, Channel38.
It’s been another busy month for DT38 and we’re here to share some of the very latest news, events and stories involving our charity.
It’s also an opportunity for us to pass on vital information about the work we do raising awareness of testicular cancer across the world, around schools and in communities as well as publicly showing gratitude for the many people who support us in our work.
Men and boys: Remember to check yourselves on the first of every month, it could save your life!
Perth 2023 – Pre-Season Tour Special
BID & WIN Match-Issued WHUFC Shirt with DT38 from Perth 2023 Tour
Following huge demand from Hammers fans and supporters of DT38, we are delighted to announce that we are making the West Ham United FC shirts from the pre-season tour matches available via an online auction.
The shirts were famously emblazoned with the DT38 logo, thanks to the generosity of Betway who donated the position for the tour matches.
For more information and to place a BID, click this link: https://shoutforgood.com/auctions/DT38xWHUAuction
West Ham United Pre-Season Tour – Perth 2023 Picture Special
One of the greatest events in DT38’s eight-year history took place down under this month.
West Ham United FC’s pre-season tour always promised to be a great success, but we can tell you now that it was nothing other than totally epic!
Perth is the home city of Dylan Tombides and and a very special place full of very special people.
The prospect of bringing together Western Australia and East London, Dylan’s two homes, always felt like a match made in heaven.
And so, it was.
The flagship event was a meeting between the Hammers and A-League side Perth Glory FC at Optus Stadium but there was so much more to enjoy throughout the trip.
We were blown away by the phenomenal levels of support from the very moment our Premier League partner club’s airplane touched down on the Australian tarmac.
The tour was punctuated by many other key events, all of which offered DT38 a fantastic opportunity to promote our work raising awareness of testicular cancer, the disease that took Dylan’s life at the age of just 20.
The famous Perth hospitality was ever-present.
One of Dylan’s former club’s Stirling Macedonia FC (was Stirling Lions FC), offered their gorgeous home ground, Macedonia Park, to West Ham United as a base camp.
A traditional aboriginal dance display was laid on to welcome the visitors.
And the EPL club returned the favour by giving an open training session where the Premier League stars worked in DT38 shirts and greeted fans for selfies and autographs.
The joyous atmosphere was truly special.
And some of the Hammers team and staff, including Kurt Zouma, Flynn Downes, Dylan’s brother Taylor Tombides and DT38 Ambassador Carlton Cole, hosted a special coaching session for almost 50 children.
You can read more about this event in an article from DT38 Ambassador David Davutovic here: https://keepup.com.au/news/dylan-tombides-west-ham-perth-tour-australia-2023-taylor-tombides/
Onto the Optus Stadium (July 15th) for the big match
Swathes of orange dressed the ground with mascots and the DT38 team proudly promoting our cause in hi-viz tee shirts.
Our presence was also obvious on the pitch with the DT38 logo on the Hammer’s match shirts thanks to the generosity of Betway.
And then time stood still on the 38th minute when an emotional applause to remember Dylan, our true inspiration, swept across the 24,723 strong crowd.
The result (a 6-2 win for West Ham United) was not, for us and many others, the most important part of the evening, it was the coming together of Aussies and East Londoners for a wonderful evening of elite sport against the backdrop of Dylan’s memory. We will cherish this forever.
We were also the centre of attention the next morning.
Tottenham Hotspur FC were in town for their pre-season sojourn and we were so excited to attend a pre-arranged fans’ match between Spurs and the Hammers.
These two groups of wonderful people set aside rivalries and past grudges to raise more than $3,000 AUD for DT38 and we are extremely grateful to all of them.
For the record: Spurs won the game and lifted the DT38 Trophy!
Their professional counterparts went head to head on July 18th at Optus Stadium, with the Irons clinching a 3-2 win.
DT38 was also on the agenda that night and we witnessed another moving 38th minute tribute for Dylan and our logos shone bright on the East Londoners’ chest once more.
A delegation from DT38 including Co-founders Jim and Taylor Tombides, our Head of Media & Operations in Australia Donna Giuffre, Ambassador Carlton Cole and former Perth Glory FC manager and Hammers player Richard Garcia were invited to a Civic Reception for West Ham United FC hosted by The City of Stirling Local Government Authority.
It’s almost impossible for us to run-through every beautiful moment of support we received during the trip.
Our social media channels almost broke down during this time as selfies and tributes galore sailed across the virtual world.
The vast majority of these focused entirely on what a special and inspiring young man Dylan Tombides was.
So many people visited Dylan’s memorial statue outside HBF Park, in Perth, some for a return tribute and others for the first time.
One of the abiding images we carry with us is this photo of DT38 Patron and former Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak, bowing his head as he shares a private moment with Dylan.
We are delighted to share some of the many moments captured across this wonderful occasion here.
Perth 2023 Tour Photo Gallery
We would like to offer huge thanks to everyone who made this tour so very special.
To the clubs, the authorities, the DT38 team, our supporters and all the fans who got involved.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.
If you would like to read more about West Ham United’s Pre-season Tour in Perth 2023, you can do so here:
https://www.whufc.com/news/west-ham-united-welcome-thousands-and-honour-dylan-tombides-open-training
https://www.whufc.com/news/four-things-we-loved-about-west-ham-uniteds-tour-western-australia
Become a DT38 Ambassador
Would you like to become an Ambassador of DT38 alongside the likes of TV star Tom Davis, Mark Noble, Sam Kerr & Carlton Cole?
A whole host of top folks from the world of football and beyond have been offering their time and support to DT38 for years and now we’re offering prestigious Ambassador roles to the open world for the first time.
If you think you can support DT38 and our work raising awareness of testicular cancer, check out our registration page where you’ll find out more information and how you can get involved.
If you become a DT38 you’ll be added to the Ambassadors page on our UK and Australia websites alongside many superstars from the world of football and beyond and just think how good it could look on your CV!
We’ll also send you a merchandise pack of goodies to help you spread the word!
Find out more and register here: https://dt38.org/become-an-ambassador
Many Happy Returns
A fantastic four birthdays were enjoyed in July across our brilliant DT38 team.
On July 7th sports journalist Adam Peacock celebrated this big day and four days later West Ham United legend Tony Cottee was 58.
Western Sydney Wanderers star Rhys Williams was 35 on July 14th and on the 27th Western United full back Josh “Rizzo” Risdon was 31.
All four are DT38 Ambassadors.
A huge Happy Birthday one and all!
Sharing the Love
We are so grateful to more than 35,000 people who follow and support us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Every month we receive so many shares, Retweets, likes and tags and we’re so grateful for each and every one of them, thank you.
And that brings to end this edition but we’ll be back with the next edition of Channel38 in August.
If you have helped DT38 in some way in recent times, please be sure to let us know so we can include it in one of our future newsletters. Contact dt38@dt38.co.uk or connect with us on Twitter Facebook Instagram YouTube and TikTok.