By CASEY NEILL
CARWATHA College is raising cash to fight cancer through Relay for Life.
Staff and students from the Noble Park North school will keep a baton moving throughout the night for the Greater Dandenong Cancer Council fund-raiser, which will take place at Ross Reserve Athletics Track in Noble Park from 3pm on Saturday 10 October to 9am on Sunday 11 October.
Teacher Sally Ross said it was a huge community event.
“I don’t think there’s anybody who hasn’t been touched by cancer,” she said.
The school encourages its VCAL students to complete a community-based project each year.
“They choose which causes they’d like to support,” Ms Ross said.
“This year they chose homelessness and cancer.
“We looked into what we could do to support both of those causes.”
Relay for Life was one.
The school has signed up one team of seven staff – the Carwatha Champions – and is planning to sign up another team of seven as Carwatha Conquers Cancer.
“The kids came up with both the team names,” Ms Ross said.
There’ll be a steady stream of support for the walkers throughout the day and night.
“Already we’ve got 35 students that have volunteered their time to walk,” Ms Ross said.
“I’ve been approached by more students who want to come and be involved.
“All of our VCAL students are doing workplace work. We’re drafting a letter that they’ll take to their employers and parents seeking donations.
“We’ve done a lot of fund-raising at school – a free dress day, a sausage sizzle, a bake sale … and we will do a primary school morning tea.
“There’s a team at lunchtime collecting donations in the yard.”
The school has so far banked $350 in donations and has another $500.
“We were hoping to get to $1500 for one team. Now we’re hoping for $2000 for two teams combined,” she said.
The Journal last month reported that the Greater Dandenong Relay for Life might not go ahead due to a lack of teams.
Eight teams have now signed up, including the Dandy High Steppers and a Noble Park Aquatic Centre team, but organisers are still seeking more.
Call 1300 656 585 or visit relayforlife.org.au to register, participate or donate, or search for City of Greater Dandenong Relay for Life’s page on Facebook.
