The students at Inverell High School made a decision together at the start of 2021 that they would raise money to support women and children faced with Domestic Violence in the Inverell community. The students wanted to make sure that the money they raised went to supporting a local charity organisation.
The fundraising started at the end of 2021 when the students began Year 12. They started with a Halloween fundraising event, followed by a Christmas fundraising event. In the new year students continued to come up with creative ideas to raise further funds. In February on Valentine’s Day, students sold roses and chocolates. They then continued fundraising by hosting Fun Days at school. They stepped it up in carnival season, taking over the canteen during the school athletics carnival. It was only early in the year but the students were off to a great start, having already raised $2,500.
It was towards the end of the year, during Muck up week when the fundraising really started to take off, they had so much planned for the week, they renamed the week Charity Week!
On Monday, they hosted a Gender Benders Walkathon raising $800 in a day!
On Tuesday, they got everyone involved with a gold coin donation to wear op-shop clothing for the day!
On Wednesday, even in the rain the students did what they could and headed into town, hosting a car wash at Goodyear Autocare, dressed as local heroes and they raised over $1,000!
On Thursday, the students baked and baked! Hosting a mega bake sale they raised a further $700!
On Friday, the students were determined to finish the week and the year on a high by hosting one final fundraising event – they broke all their records for the year by hosting a charity auction that raised $2880!
The grand total raised for the year was $8,800 to support women and children who have been affected by domestic violence. Julie Clendinning for Inverell High School said, “I was extremely proud of them as they came up with the ideas themselves, I just facilitated it.”
Pathfinders Specialist Homelessness Support team was invited to attend the student Year 12 formal, and very gratefully received this kind donation. The donation will go towards directly supporting the needs of women and children that present at Pathfinders Women’s and Children’s Refuge needing emergency assistance.
