Gold Coast SUNS CEO Mark Evans has left one local fan, also named Mark, a very happy man this week after gifting him a 2018 SUNS 3-game membership.

Evans first met Mark last month, when he helped him sell copies of “The Big Issue” – a magazine which helps homeless, marginalised and disadvantaged people positively change their lives. 

Mark has battled homelessness throughout his life, drifting between Victoria and the Gold Coast since 1980 and living out of his car at times.

When he first started selling The Big Issue he was living out of a Salvation Army hostel.

“I was inspired by his story, he’s been through some hard times and he’s found his way through it,” Evans said.

“The people he meets here on James Street, he always stops and has a friendly word with them.

“He doesn’t try to force the sale and just talks to them all day.”

The SUNS have been heavily involved in homelessness aid on the Gold Coast since the club’s inception, holding an annual Homeless Connect event at Metricon Stadium over the last six years.

Several GC SUNS players have also been community volunteers in their free time, with Touk Miller and Peter Wright helping to cook for homeless youths every fortnight. 

Evans said he hoped small actions like these would help inspire the Gold Coast community.

“I thought it would be great for him (Mark) to feel like he was a part of our club and have a membership to come to games when he would like to and maybe even sell The Big Issue at the front gates,” he said.

“If you see him out there please buy a copy, it would really go to a good cause in helping him get his life back on track.” 

Tickets for the SUNS' season opener in Cairns are now on sale. Click here for more info.