Sean Keppie knows who his real 'heroes’ are.
It’s not the usual international sporting stars or high-profile celebrities.
Rather, just the many happy faces he sees through his involvement with the Sunnyfield, Heroes with Ability, and What Ability Disability Services organisations.
And judging by his wide smile at an event in Sydney’s south-west on Saturday, it brings an endless amount of sheer joy to the 23-year-old.
The Manly Sea Eagles prop was at the superb Michael Clarke Centre in Carnes Hill for Heroes with Ability's ‘Hero Day’ event where many were dressed in their favourite Super Heroes costumes.
A registered charity providing an inclusive program to cater for the health/wellbeing of people with varying abilities, Heroes with Ability was formed to inspire, teach, motivate, and include all people in all aspects of life in health and wellbeing, social inclusion within the community and community awareness.
You may see me as a hero because I play in the NRL, but to me, the real heroes are you guys
Sean Keppie
“It’s an absolute honour to be here and to be one of your ambassadors.”
Marco Quintao, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Heroes with Ability alongside George Tonna, said it was a pleasure to have Keppie involved with the organisation.
“Sean approached us at the start of the year about being involved as he really liked our program. He wanted to volunteer his time to train some of the clients,’’ Quintao said.
“Even during the Covid lockdown when we couldn’t meet in person, Sean did Zoom sessions with our clients.”
Heroes with Ability presented Sean and fellow NRL player Ryan Matterson with their official Ambassador Medal on Saturday. Fellow Hero with Ability Ambassador, Penrith Coach Ivan Cleary, was also in attendance.
“We give all our ambassadors a medal as a small gesture of our appreciation. I know Sean is involved with other disability organisations and we applaud that,’’ Quintao added.
“Just by volunteering even an hour of his time is the equivalent of a lifetime for some of our clients.”
