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From: http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,20809131-5001023,00.html
WILLIE Mason isn't just playing for nothing in tomorrow night's Tri-Nations final - it has been revealed the tournament's villain will also be raising thousands for charity.
After being suspended for punching Great Britain prop Stuart Fielden a fortnight ago, Australia's Test prop Mason was fined $5000, twice his wages for the Aussie Stadium showdown against New Zealand.
But as he prepares for a rematch with nemesis David Kidwell, the clown prince of the NRL last night uncovered his serious side as he spoke of a commitment to promote the fight against cancer, which claimed his father Ian nine years ago. "Whenever I get man-of-the-match, for Origin or whatever, I usually donate it to the cancer council," Mason told The Daily Telegraph.
"I'm comfortable talking about it now, it doesn't really bother me.
"I lost my old man to cancer in '97, before I came down to Sydney, so whatever I can do to raise money for that research, I'm happy to do."
Mason's comedy moustache can be sponsored by fans as part of "Movember", a charity which promotes awareness of men's health issues, including cancer prevention.
Mason conceded he started his own growth to compete with team-mate Nathan Hindmarsh rather than for charity.
"Hindy was growing his and I thought I could grow a better mo," he joked. "His is pathetic. He looks like a 70-year-old Chinese man.
"I thought I'd go something better than the sleazy little mo that he's got. I thought I'd go the choppers."
Mason, 26, cast himself as a villain even before the Tri-Nations series kicked off on October 14 when cameras caught him swearing during the haka.
His punch, which concussed Fielden and broke the prop's nose, got him offside with the Brits, too.
But Movember officials are thrilled at his decision to back their charity. A spokesman said fans could sponsor him by quoting "Mo Bro" No. 56221 when they visit the Movember website.
ARL chief executive Geoff Carr revealed his board would allow Mason to donate the Fielden fine to the charity.
Mason missed the second game against NZ with concussion suffered in a ferocious clash with second-rower Kidwell.
Kiwis coach Brian McClennan said: "I think they'll probably bring Willie off the bench. He hasn't played in a while. He's had two games since the Dogs finished.
"They might have concerns with his match fitness."
But Mason hit back last night: "I probably couldn't be fitter at the moment so I'm not worried about my fitness at all.
"I was training with the boys all last week and then I was training with (trainer) Ron Palmer at the end of the week, just getting flogged."
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What a champion bloke. He really does alot of work off field helping out charities, kids will illness, and he even sponsors a few kids from overseas.
Nice to see that nobody makes a thread when Mason does something good. If this article was about him taking off from a cab or something, there would be 3 threads on this by now. Time to show the bloke more respect me thinks
WILLIE Mason isn't just playing for nothing in tomorrow night's Tri-Nations final - it has been revealed the tournament's villain will also be raising thousands for charity.
After being suspended for punching Great Britain prop Stuart Fielden a fortnight ago, Australia's Test prop Mason was fined $5000, twice his wages for the Aussie Stadium showdown against New Zealand.
But as he prepares for a rematch with nemesis David Kidwell, the clown prince of the NRL last night uncovered his serious side as he spoke of a commitment to promote the fight against cancer, which claimed his father Ian nine years ago. "Whenever I get man-of-the-match, for Origin or whatever, I usually donate it to the cancer council," Mason told The Daily Telegraph.
"I'm comfortable talking about it now, it doesn't really bother me.
"I lost my old man to cancer in '97, before I came down to Sydney, so whatever I can do to raise money for that research, I'm happy to do."
Mason's comedy moustache can be sponsored by fans as part of "Movember", a charity which promotes awareness of men's health issues, including cancer prevention.
Mason conceded he started his own growth to compete with team-mate Nathan Hindmarsh rather than for charity.
"Hindy was growing his and I thought I could grow a better mo," he joked. "His is pathetic. He looks like a 70-year-old Chinese man.
"I thought I'd go something better than the sleazy little mo that he's got. I thought I'd go the choppers."
Mason, 26, cast himself as a villain even before the Tri-Nations series kicked off on October 14 when cameras caught him swearing during the haka.
His punch, which concussed Fielden and broke the prop's nose, got him offside with the Brits, too.
But Movember officials are thrilled at his decision to back their charity. A spokesman said fans could sponsor him by quoting "Mo Bro" No. 56221 when they visit the Movember website.
ARL chief executive Geoff Carr revealed his board would allow Mason to donate the Fielden fine to the charity.
Mason missed the second game against NZ with concussion suffered in a ferocious clash with second-rower Kidwell.
Kiwis coach Brian McClennan said: "I think they'll probably bring Willie off the bench. He hasn't played in a while. He's had two games since the Dogs finished.
"They might have concerns with his match fitness."
But Mason hit back last night: "I probably couldn't be fitter at the moment so I'm not worried about my fitness at all.
"I was training with the boys all last week and then I was training with (trainer) Ron Palmer at the end of the week, just getting flogged."
------------------------------
What a champion bloke. He really does alot of work off field helping out charities, kids will illness, and he even sponsors a few kids from overseas.
Nice to see that nobody makes a thread when Mason does something good. If this article was about him taking off from a cab or something, there would be 3 threads on this by now. Time to show the bloke more respect me thinks
