Students jumping for joy as fundraising hits €60,000 mark
THE FIRST Year students in St Peter’s College reached a milestone this year when they topped the €60,000 mark in terms of the money they have raised to-date through their annual Jump for Joy initiative.
Speaking to this newspaper, teacher Shane Roche said it was great for the students to raise such a significant figure especially given the fact it’s only First Years that participate.
He made his comments after the school organised a fun day event to acknowledge the efforts of the students in this year’s fundraising event.
‘This began with Mick Caulfield in 1994 and he was really the one who drove it on until he retired five years ago,’ said Mr Roche.
‘When Mick retired the PE department took it over and have continued to run it,’ he added.
The 132 First Year students raised €3,081 this year alone and Mr Roche said that was a testament to their commitment and willingness to help others.
‘Every year we get sponsorship cards from Crumlin Children’s Hospital and the students go off and get their sponsorship,’ he said.
‘Then we get the money in and present it to the hospital and we are invited each year to view first-hand where the money goes,’ he added.
Last year’s money went towards the development of a games room and a young adolescent ward but this year Mr Roche is suggesting the money goes towards providing a Cuddle Cot or towards the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Mr Roche said the cause is something close to the hearts of all the students: ‘They all know of the hospital and many of them also know someone who has received treatment there.’
He added that the students benefit from knowing they are contributing to a very worthy cause while the fun day means they can celebrate that fact in a relaxed way.
‘Some of the students may not actually realise how important their sponsorship and fundraising is and the fun day helps in that regard too,’ he said.
With regard to the Jump for Joy itself he said that’s done ‘just through the use of sponsorship cards’.
‘It’s a great initiative and the students enjoy doing it but this event was just a fun afternoon to thank them for their great work and also to remind them how important it is,’ said Mr Roche.