Over the years Dig Deep Day has blossomed into a Western Australian charity powerhouse. As its ninth instalment comes to a close, the West Coast Eagles, Cancer Council WA and the campaigns major sponsor Caltex Australia, are setting their collective sights on a magical milestone: one million dollars.

The record total $124,774 received in 2013 brings the total over the campaign’s nine year stretch to well over $900,000, meaning the million dollar landmark is a real possibility in 2014.

This year, West Coast Eagles members and fans were this year encouraged to get behind the cause by purchasing Dig Deep lapel pins from Caltex stores, the West Coast Eagles Team Store or at the ground on Dig Deep Day.

Eagles supporters got on board with Dig Deep Day in spectacular fashion, with this year’s fundraising amount the highest in Dig Deep Day history with every cent going to Cancer Council WA.

Adding to the fundraising efforts, the chance to toss the coin at the Dig Deep Day match was also up for grabs with fans bidding online for the once in a lifetime opportunity.

A full set of Dig Deep guernseys, which were worn by the team  in the round 19 clash with the Gold Coast Suns, were also auctioned off after the match, helping to raise even more money for cancer research.

Adding to the total was Will Schofield, who shaved his beloved beard in the name of charity earlier in the year. Will’s terrific efforts, boosted by the enormous generosity of football fans across Australia, raised nearly $20,000 alone.

Luke Shuey, who had the official duties of handing over the cheque to Cancer Council WA, said the conitnued success is a terrific reflection of the generosity of the WA football public.

“On behalf of everyone involved in Dig Deep Day I’d like to thank everyone who got behind the campaign,” said Shuey.

“Whether you purchased a pin, bid on the coin toss, or bought a guernsey, you’ve made a contribution to a wonderful cause.

“This is the club’s ninth Dig Deep Day, and the only reason we can continue to do our bit for cancer research each year is because we have such incredibly generous fans.

“It really is quite mind blowing, times are tough and yet we still find a way to break our highest annual total.

“Hopefully everyone involved can band together and notch up our ten year anniversary by setting another record total, and breaking through the million dollar mark.

“That’d be incredibly special.

“A big thank you must go to Caltex Australia for supporting the Dig Deep campaign as well. Without support from organisations like Caltex, these fundraising campaigns can’t happen.”

This is the fifth year Caltex have come on board to support the Dig Deep campaign, providing their stores at locations for fans to purchase Dig Deep fundraising items.

The West Coast Eagles Football Club would like to thank Caltex, its staff and its franchisees for supporting the Dig Deep campaign again for 2013.