Every follower of Sydney Olympic Football Club knows the legendary Andreas - his bellowing voice screaming "O-lym-pic" for decades in support of the football club established in 1957 by Greek immigrants in Sydney.
His legendary status in Australian football was even recognised by SBS decades ago.
Finding difficulty in his life, the now 68-year-old pensioner moved in 2013 to a caravan in Fairfield in Sydney's West, ABC reported.
He and his wife of 25 years separated and Andreas left their paid-off house and bought himself a unit, ABC reported.
However, due to the 2008 financial crisis, he had to sell his unit at a loss due to his scrap metal business collapsing.
The Lesvos-born Andreas, whose roots are from Smyrna (Σμύρνα, Turkish: İzmir), works a few days a week to subsidise his pension by hunting for scrap metal, sending the extra money to his 11-year-old son he had with another woman who died from breast cancer.
“I’m going to live in a granny flat with my boy Ben. That’s my dream, just got to be patient, that’s all. That’ll give me another 10 years to my life," he said.
Without the extra cash, Andreas would have only $6,800 for the year after his rent and power bill, ABC reported.
“I don’t think anyone can live on $300 a fortnight, especially if you’ve got a vehicle and petrol and stuff like that, other bills that come with it.”
In support of this Sydney Olympic legend, Con Pappas opened a GoFundMe that has already achieved more than three quarters of the target in only a matter of days.
You can contribute to the GoFundMe here.
As Pappas said, "Andrea the Legend lives in all of us Sydney Olympic & football fans... we all know him in one way or another.
"For someone who has given so much, it’s time we all chip in and give something back.
"Andrea has been overwhelmed with all the support so far and is thankful & grateful to everyone.
"He has not asked for this page - I’ve simply read the articles and something inside me wanted to help.
"Andrea has spoken to Peter “Flea” Papoythis- he does not want any money. All he needs is an eye operation so he can see again which will allow him to go back to work.
"All donations will go towards Andrea’s eye operation.
"All payments will be made to all associated services which Peter Papoythis will be sourcing.
"Both Peter & I plan on running this campaign for 3 weeks only.
"Let’s help Andrea chant this again:
"I see Venus,
I see Mars,
Come on Olympic
Take Andrea to the stars."
READ MORE: Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney presents a unique exhibition of Greek costumes.
