Change for cancer research

A Horsham school is still finding a way to raise money for a good cause while events are largely off the cards for the foreseeable future.

Horsham Primary School is encouraging students to collect loose change around the house as part of a ‘Five Cent Friday’ weekly appeal.

Teacher Simon Vivian said students’ small weekly contributions were allowing the school to donate up to $800 a school term to go towards cancer research.

He said the appeal would allow students to get ‘back into the swing of things’ after key fundraising opportunities such as Relay For Life were cancelled due to COVID-19 in late March.

“Five Cent Friday is the only fundraiser we do on a regular basis – but it always adds up to at least a couple thousand dollars a year,” he said.

“We do it at both campuses and we’ll often get somewhere between $50 and $80 for the week.”

Every year more than 40 students from the school take part in the relay to raise money for Cancer Council Australia.

Mr Vivian estimated the school had raised up to $100,000 since it first participated in the event 18 years ago.

He said it was crucial students could continue efforts.

“While they’re very tiny amounts to the individual it all adds up and it’s quite worth saving,” he said.

“I would imagine the Cancer Council’s fundraising efforts have been greatly diminished this year compared with previous years.

“I’m sure they are as keen as ever for people to continue raising money for them.”

Mr Vivian said the fundraiser was also an excellent way to teach children about the importance of helping others.

“From our point of view, it helps kids see a little bit beyond their own school community and the idea that we can, even at a young age, start helping others,” he said.

“For anyone who has got any sort of experience with cancer in their lives, it gives them a chance to feel like they are actually doing something to help.

“It’s nice to think you are contributing in some way.”

Mr Vivian encouraged more people to contribute to the cause.

“If people want to contribute in any way – that would be terrific,” he said.

“We want to try to make it a regular thing. It doesn’t have to strictly be five cent pieces – if you drop in 20 cents it adds up quickly.”