Every year the Loxton North Football Club raises money for a charity close to its heart, and this year is no exception.
Key points:
- A Riverland football club has raised thousands for Parkinson’s research, honouring its trusty doctor
- Dr Searles has been a fixture of Loxton’s tight-knit community for 25 years
- There is no known cure for Parkinson’s disease, with about 100,000 Australians living with the condition
It has raised more than $12,000 for research on Parkinson’s disease to honour the club’s beloved doctor.
Andrew “Doc” Searles moved to South Australia’s Riverland about 25 years ago, working as one of the doctors in the close-knit community of Loxton.
When his son James joined the local footy team, the Loxton North Panthers, it was not too long until Dr Searles tagged along too.
Dr Searles’ medical expertise landed him a steadfast role as the club doctor, as A-grade coach Brett Tschirpig attested.
“If someone got hurt, he would run out there and make sure they were alright, and not only for our club,” he said.
“It didn’t matter if it was us going down or somebody else, he’d lend a hand and give them the help they needed.”
Over the years, Dr Searles became a linchpin of the club, going on to lead as president and gaining life membership in recognition of his services.
Raising funds to find a cure
Half a decade ago, the club icon was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which he said changed his life.
“Probably six or seven years ago, I was still playing regular squash and cricket, and it sort of hampered that,” he said.
“I was doing anaesthetics as part of my routine general practice and had to stop because part of the symptoms is a tremor.
“So, I decided I better get out of anaesthetics before there was a problem.”
As a doctor himself, Dr Searles knows more about the disease than the average person.
“Unfortunately, it is a progressive condition, and as of yet, there’s no cure, but certainly lots of things we can do to control the various symptoms,” he said.
“You hear about things like deep brain stimulation and laser therapy, but there’s always research going on.”
Tschirpig said since Dr Searles was not one to toot his own horn, the club was happy to do it on his behalf.
“I think he was really taken aback by it all but also humbled,” Tschirpig said.
“Doc’s a person that doesn’t like to fuss over himself but likes to fuss over others, so it was good to do that for him.”
Source: AFL NEWS ABC
