St John Bosco College at Engadine has become a star performer for the Cancer Council’s Relay for Life, raising more than $53,000 for the charity in just three years – the highest team fundraising effort.
Relay For Life is a global movement that brings communities together to celebrate cancer survivorship and remember loved ones lost to cancer, as well as raise much needed funds.
The 2021 Sutherland Shire Relay for Life held at Cronulla over May 1 and 2 raised more than $125,000 to support the Cancer Council’s research, prevention and support services.
Much of the support came from teams, including St John Bosco College at Engadine, which this year raised $21,089 – above and beyond its goal of $20,000, making it the top-performing team for the second year in a row.
This makes the school the highest fundraising team during the three-year period.
One of the school’s vice-captain’s Hannah McMahon said students from years 11 and 12 participated in the Relay for Life on May 1.
“Due to COVID restrictions placed on the usual Cronulla venue, Bosco held a breakfast and morning gathering at the college so we could still participate and make our difference for an incredibly worthy cause,” she said.
“Meeting at 8am, we began our laps around the college oval to the smell of bacon and egg rolls being cooked on the barbecues and by the end of our first few laps, breakfast was served.
“We continued to walk laps around the oval until 10am.
“Although with restrictions the day was not quite the same, ‘Team Bosco’ still rose to the challenge and enjoyed what was such a worthwhile experience, raising both money and awareness for the Cancer Council.”
More money was raised the following week by selling bacon and egg rolls.
She said the school’s fundraising efforts were only possible thanks to the participation, support and generosity of staff, students and college families.
College captain Jayden Helm said the event was a “perfect opportunity to come together as a Bosco community to raise funds and awareness for such a worthy cause”.