THE Reach foundation, with the assistance of Melbourne fans and the wider football community, has raised almost $40,000 following its ‘$11 donation’ campaign.

Led by Melbourne ruckman and Reach ambassador Max Gawn – who urged people to donate $11 each for the continuation of Reach’s aim to help young people in the community – the campaign saw $26,000 raised before last Sunday’s Melbourne and Carlton clash at the MCG.

Another $11,000 was raised at the game, where Reach was Melbourne’s round two charity partner, bringing the total to $37,000.

Coincidentally, ‘37’ and ‘11’ were significant numbers for Reach’s co-founder, the late, great Jim Stynes, who wore No.37 in his first VFL/AFL match for Melbourne in 1987, before shifting to his regular No.11 the following year.

Gawn has followed Stynes’ number path, first wearing No.37, before donning No.11.

Reach has helped more than 750,000 people in the past 23 years.

Each year, 30,000 people aged 10 to 18 years old experience Reach through workshops that are entirely youth-led. They are deigned and delivered by Reach.

The $11 donation will help Reach keep achieving these programs.