Students step out for charity
By Wendy Shaw
Caring students from St Patrick’s College in Launceston have made great strides in support of worthy causes.
Each year, college students and staff demonstrate their care and concern for others through a variety of fundraising endeavours, including the Cancer Council Tasmania’s Relay For Life event.
The college has just received the Cancer Council’s Champions for Hope Shield for raising the most money of any school team, following the Launceston event earlier this year.
Principal Liz Illingworth said students and staff took inspiration from St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.
“Participation in Relay for Life allows our students to step outside their comfort zone, give of themselves, and join a community event that enables them to demonstrate care and concern towards others,” she said.
“It empowers our students to show kindness to one another and participate in an event where they know that their actions directly support those affected by cancer.
“Participating in Relay for Life enables our students to embody our college values of compassion, social justice and leadership, following in the footsteps of our founders.
Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, our featured founder for 2023, is known for the saying: “Never see a need without doing something about it”. Fundraising for Relay for Life provides our young people with an opportunity to respond to needs in a positive way.”
The Launceston Relay For Life was a 20-hour marathon at the Silverdome in Launceston, with the St Patrick’s College team of 101 students and many staff walking and running laps to raise awareness and funds for the Cancer Council’s research, prevention and support services.
The college raised more than $10,200.
“We were honoured to receive the Champions of Hope Shield as the highest fundraising school,” Mrs Illingworth added.
Meanwhile, year 12 students walked, ran, swam and rode for 24 hours for the 15th annual Lap It Up event on 31 August and 1 September, raising more than $23,000 for Mary MacKillop Today, Karinya crisis accommodation, Magnolia House, St Vincent de Paul Society, Edmund Rice Camps and Strike It Out.