St Peter’s gets on the move for Crumlin hospital
ST. Peter’s College has a long-standing relationship with CMRF (Children’s Medical & Research Foundation) Crumlin, a tradition which has seen the school donate more than €60,000 to the hospital since 1994.
The bulk of that money was raised through its ‘Jump for Joy’ initiative, a fundraiser started by the school’s former PE teacher Mick Caulfield. However, this year, with the country in lockdown, those at St Peter’s had to think outside the box, come up with new ways to raise funds for an organisation close to their heart.
Shane Roche is one of the school’s current PE teachers, he explains how they approached their fundraising campaign this time around.
‘Mick Caulfield started ‘Jump for Joy’ in 1994, he used to also run a basketball free throw competition. Since 1994 we’ve raised over €60,000 through these challenges,’ says Shane.
‘With the lockdown, we missed out on the ‘Jump for Joy,’ so the PE department decided to come up with an initiative to get everyone physically active and to keep our traditions with Crumlin Children’s Hospital going.
‘It’s been going since 1994 and it would be a shame to stop in this current time, and now it’s even more important to raise money with events been cancelled or initiatives been stopped due to our current situation.’
Thus ‘Move in May’ was born, its aim to get all those attached to the school moving whether it be running, walking, cycling or kayaking. Setting themselves a collective target of 20,000km the school’s teachers, students, parents, past pupils and community at large got moving, recording their distances as they went.
‘Our aim was to run, walk and cycle 20,000km. So we’ve had a range from guys walking every day to cycling massive kilometres within their area to running. Mick Caulfield lives near the sea so he kayaks 50km for us throughout the month,’ says Shane.
‘We contacted the children and encouraged them to get out, get active through the HSE guidelines. To be part of something even though we’re apart. It wasn’t who could run the fastest time or who could do the most. It was 20,000km and we needed everyone to help us reach that target and to donate to Crumlin Children’s Hospital.’
By the end of May the school had completed 24,000km and raised more than €3,000 for Crumlin, and Shane said it had been inspiring to see the reaction from St Peter’s students.
‘When you see them online, sending in their videos and distances through Instagram, you can see that they’re enjoying something even though they’re apart. They still feel that they’re involved in the school and connected to the environment,’ he said.
‘We promote physical activity and are aware there are HSE guidelines but there are kids in Crumlin hospital who potentially can’t even get out of their bedroom for long periods of time due to being unwell.
‘So it’s great being connected with the kids but it puts it into perspective for them that they have an opportunity to get out within their distance and get exercising for a charity. I think they have all enjoyed it.’
You can still donate to St Peter’s Move in May fundraiser at https:// ie.gofundme.com/f/st-peters-collegemove-for-may-in-aid-of-cmrf