This Saturday, the 4th of July, Castle Hill United host their annual Luke Gardoni Cup Day. A powerful day in the club’s footballing calendar, one that hopes to remember, celebrate and raise awareness about Luke’s story and sudden cardiac death.
On the 15th of August 2020, Luke Gardoni was playing in the Castle Hill United Premier League side when he experienced a cardiac arrest on the field. After being revived, he was later taken to the ICU within Westmead Hospital, where he would remain in a critical condition until his passing five days later, aged just 21.
“Luke loved sport, but his real passion was football. He played nearly his entire life, starting at age 4 and played premier youth league for seven years. He loved training, game day, respected his coaches and practiced his juggling and mastery skills endlessly,” Luke’s mum Michelle Gardoni said.
“Luke would always give 110% on the field, with a never give up attitude. Luke will always be in our thoughts, forever loved and cherished. We will hold him in our hearts and we will miss him dearly. Until we meet again.”
Preparing for its sixth edition, the Luke Gardoni Cup Day is a day filled with activities and activations to help remember Luke, help reduce the number of sudden cardiac deaths, and raise funds for the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute.
The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, formerly EndUCD Foundation. The Institute has supported and represented families affected by sudden tragedy, engaged in media campaigns, organised summits of key stakeholders, and driven awareness of a previously overlooked condition that is a leading cause of death in young people.
Last year, the event raised over $6000 for the Institute through raffle ticket sales, a silent auction, and a gold coin BBQ. Furthermore, the event partnered with Heartbeat of Football to offer free Heart Health Checks for any event-goers.
Culminating in a football match between the Castle United and Epping FC premier league sides at Fred Caterson Reserve at 3 PM, the match will conclude the day the way Luke would’ve wanted. Playing the sport he dearly loved.
“Our family is extremely grateful to have experienced many of life’s important and precious moments with Luke by our side,” the Gardoni family said.
“As long as the hearts of people who love Luke are beating, he remains alive.”
You can read more about Luke’s story here: https://www.victorchang.edu.au/patients/luke
If you cannot make it on the day make a donation to the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute: https://www.victorchang.edu.au/donate/luke-gardoni-cup-day
Make sure you check out Castle Hill United’s Facebook Page for information regarding the silent auctions.
