At the Tri Nations Tournament held in Hanoi in November 2007, the Swans raffled off a 4.5 liter mega bottle of Jim Beam as part of Movember. The footballers and netballers from Vietnam, Thailand and Laos raised 5 million Vietnamese Dong (USD 300). The Swans’ Micky Johnston, explains what was done with the money.

Attached is the photo of the handover of 5,000,000 VND to Dr Judith Ladinsky, Chair of the non-governmental organization, the U.S. Committee for Scientific Cooperation with Vietnam and Laos.The money was raised by the Vietnam Swans, Laos Elephants and Thailand Thaigers players, netballers and supporters at JAFA Restaurant (after the Tri Nations Tournament)  towards the funding of prostate screening in Viet Nam. Currently, this is not a program that is conducted regularly, but prostate cancer will become a growing issue as the male demographic of Viet Nam gets older.

The money was handed over at the office of Dr Thang, head of the Institute of Research into HIV, which is one of the many projects funded under Dr Ladinsky’s Committee. Information about a recent award from the Vietnamese Government can be read at http://hanoi.usembassy.gov/pr071207.html 

Dr Ladinsky was extremely surprised to receive the money.  Dr. Thang had not told her of the reason for my visit.  Needless to say, the Swans hope to continue to raise funds and Dr Ladinsky looks forward to working with her Committee to commence the prostate screening program.

A couple of weeks ago, JASPAS in Saigon held it’s monthly Spam Cham which involves drinks, nibblies and a raffle. All money raised goes to the Loreto Vietnam Australia Program which is involved in 9 major projects assisting over 3,000 of Vietnam’s neediest children. The program assists disadvantaged, disabled and poor children through education.

Thanks to the Vietnam Swans amazing sponsor, Jim Beam, the Vietnam Swans were able to donate the equivalent of a mega 4.5 litre Jim Beam bottle (6 standard bottles) to the raffle.

The winner of the Jim Beam was Tim who exclaimed, “You Beauty!” – although he later confessed he was actually going for the two cans of Spam… Until that moment, Tim had “never won anything”.

Tim said that he was going to Mui Ne the following weekend with a few friends and his new friend, Jim. He did not expect Jim to make the return trip back to Saigon.

For the record, Albin’s effort at growing a mo for Movember earnt him the title of Mr Movember.

Last weekend Pacey Stacey tried one of those fun runs at Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. He had to run 21km.

Not only was he successful in completing the run, he also managed to pulverise the 2 hour barrier. Scott finished in just 1hr and 59 minutes!

There’s a lot to be said for the Swans fitness regime.

Special thanks to Stacey for doing the official timing for himself.

Fancy a souvenir T shirt from this historic and amazing weekend coming up? I’m not surprised.

The netballers have come up with the design to the left to commemorate the weekend. 100 t shirts have been made and will be on sale for $15 with proceeds helping the Oi’s develop netball in Hanoi.

The netballers are an organised lot. They have even produced a Tri Nations’ Netball Flyer which details the times of the Laos, Thailand and Vietnam netball matches as well as their festivities.