Invictus Games Medallist Fundraises for Legacy Brisbane

Farewell to the flying beard! Legacy Brisbane thanks Stephen French for his fundraising efforts for Legacy.

Stephen (Steve) French is an ex-RAAF service member and a member of the Australian team who competed at the Invictus Games held in the Netherlands in April.

After many years of growing out his very impressive beard, Steve decided to shave off to help raise money for Legacy. And on the 21^st of April, in the Hague, Steve’s beard came off after he hit his target of  over $2000 raised!

Steve chose to donate to Legacy after learning that Legacy had supported his family in their time of need.

In Steve’s own words, “When I suggested to Amanda Scott, our Public Affairs Officer for the Australian Defence Force Adaptive Sport Program, that I would like to raise money for a charity, by shaving my beard off at the upcoming Invictus Games in The Hague, she was only too happy to help me out by setting the Go Fund Me page as well as suggesting the charity. She indicated that Legacy was a great organisation and would be perfect choice.”

“It wasn’t until a couple of days later that I remembered Legacy had helped an Aunty and my cousins out when my Uncle Roy passed away (pictured). Uncle Roy French was a Craftsman in the Royal Australian Army with the 104th Brigade Workshop. He enlisted on 24 June 1942 and was discharged 02 November 1944. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to know him as he passed when I was only 5 years old in 1968. We had moved away from Cronulla around this time, which meant I never got to know Aunty Sheila and my cousins Lynette, Lisa, Tony and Michelle.”

“When I spoke to my cousin Michelle to let her know that I was shaving my beard off to raise money for Legacy, she told me that they were a great help not only whilst they were growing up, they were also there for Aunty Sheila visiting her regularly for years.”

Steve and his fellow Australians had a wonderful time at the Invictus Games. The Invictus Games are an international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick service men and women, both serving and veterans. Although there is no official medal tally, Steve tells us team Australia did very well! Steve took home a Silver for Seated Discus and Bronze in Wheelchair Rugby. Well done Steve!

We thank Steve very much for his fundraising efforts and we hope the beard doesn’t take too long to grow back!

Thank you Steve and Elaine French for kindly sharing photos with us.