WA school kids raise a whopping $115,000 for inaugural Premier’s Telethon Challenge
It was seeing sick children at Perth Children’s Hospital during the school camp that inspired Year 6 students at St Francis Xavier primary school to delve deeper into Telethon.
This inspiration led to the Geraldton school raising a whopping $25,083, becoming the top fundraiser in the inaugural Premier’s Telethon Challenge and winning the secondary school category.
The feat was no mean feat, with a variety of fundraising events held throughout the year, including pajama and dress-up days, raffles, sausage sizzles and second-hand book sales.
“We wanted to help other children who were disadvantaged for all of us,” said Oliver Benter, head boy at St Francis Xavier.
“We are so grateful that we were able to raise so much money, and we are so grateful to our school and community for raising over $25,000.
“Winning this award among all these schools is a great achievement. We wanted to help sick children,” said school principal Valentina Priolo.
The Prime Minister congratulated the efforts of all participating schools and, along with Fat Cat, rewarded the three winning schools with a unique Telethon medallion created at the Perth Mint.
Durham Road, a school for children who need specialist support, was awarded the small school award for raising more than $2,000; Mindarie Elementary School took the large school category after raising more than $18,000.
Mr Cook said 79 schools across the state took part, demonstrating the true meaning of kids helping kids.
“It is important that we preserve this generosity that is unique to Western Australia for decades to come,” he said.
“That’s why the Prime Minister’s Telethon Challenge exists, for students to learn the beauty of giving back to their communities, the importance of understanding, the art of giving, and the role of compassion in our society.
“This is just the first year. There will be many more to come and we really want to build on the incredible efforts of the 79 schools this year.
“You have shown so much generosity that together you have raised more than $115,000 – an incredible achievement and proves that when kids help kids, incredible things can happen.”
In addition to the sterling silver medallions provided to the winning schools, the Perth Mint donated 700 gold-plated medallions for the second year to thank the Telethon community for their support of fundraisers.
