Hird, Heppell and H-Man team up at Scleroderma pop-up

Harrison Pennicott is, quite obviously, an Essendon fan. However, his soccer allegiance can vary depending on which English Premier League team is performing well. This admission didn’t sit well with Bombers great James Hird. When young Pennicott confessed that he likes both Manchester United and their fierce rivals Liverpool, Hird’s reaction was blunt: “Wash your mouth out.”

Setting aside this playful disagreement, Hird was more than happy to lend his support to Pennicott and another former Essendon captain, Dyson Heppell.

Pennicott, who is just 13 years old, has the rare autoimmune disease Scleroderma. Heppell’s connection to the condition runs deep—his grandmother had the same disease, which inspired him to become an ambassador for Scleroderma Victoria. This shared connection is how Heppell and Pennicott met and formed a strong bond.

Much like Neale Daniher has become the face of the campaign to find a cure for motor neurone disease, Heppell and Pennicott have teamed up to raise awareness for Scleroderma. Alongside Heppell’s wife, Kate Turner-Heppell, they launched the Haych clothing brand and set up a pop-up store in Melbourne during grand final week to promote their cause.

“I’ve had an incredible journey with the boy so far,” Heppell said of Pennicott. “He’s in good spirits and quite healthy at the moment, which is incredible. We’ve had a lot of support and a lot of fun. That’s been the most incredible thing—the connection with my grandmother raising so much awareness for Scleroderma.”

At the media event, Hird arrived dressed in a suit while everyone else sported Haych clothing. “Obviously, I’m not cool enough to get the merch,” Hird joked. “I’m here to support H and help him live out his bucket list, but also to raise awareness of the disease. It’s so close to ‘Hep’ and his journey, so anything I can do to help promote it, I will.”

“He (Pennicott) is a great man, doing a great job through a lot of adversity,” Hird added.

Over the past few years, Pennicott and Heppell have done a lot together. Looking ahead, Pennicott’s next big goal is ambitious: “I really want to meet Cristiano Ronaldo,” he shared.

Their inspiring partnership continues to shine a light on Scleroderma, showing how courage and community support can make a meaningful difference.
https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/afl/hird-heppell-and-h-man-team-up-at-scleroderma-pop-up-c-20126554

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