Saint Kentigern raises $134,000 for World Vision

All three Saint Kentigern schools have had a long association with World Vision with the College, in particular, being one of the top fundraising schools in the country for many years. During the 40 Hour Famine this year,  students at the College raised a whopping $100,000, which when added to the equally significant amounts of $26,960 from the Boys’ School and $7,090 from the Girls’ School has seen Saint Kentigern collectively pledge over $134,000 to this year’s fundraising appeal! Well done students!

Last year, Service Co-ordinator at the College, Mr Mark Robinson, went on a scoping trip to Malawi in preparation for a student visit to this impoverished African country. The money raised over the last two years will be used to begin Saint Kentigern’s community to community project in a village called Chigodi, supporting both the primary and secondary school. It will also provide water bores, agricultural support, livestock; chickens, goats and cows for farmers and assist with education. 

In July, the College had the privilege of sending eighteen of our students, along with two staff members, to meet the Chigodi community in Malawi.  On their return these students have shared with us the difference that our support is making to the lives of the Chigodi children and families.  The students saw first-hand how the funds raised will go directly to helping provide better health and education opportunities for so many in this community.

Many students across the three campuses contribute to the cause but there are always those who go the extra mile. At a special assembly at the College today, 68 students were recognised who raised in excess of $500 individually for the 40 Hour Famine this year. Year 8 student, Lulu Denholm was the top fundraising student raising $5,130.00.  Year 12 student, Jessie Hunt was the top fundraiser in the Senior School raising $5,110.00, closely followed by Year 11 student, Isabella Denholm with $4,955.00.  The cycling team of Henry Mellsop, Edward Barry and Liam Cappel are also deserving of a mention, raising $4840.00 together with their Everesting Cycling Challenge.

CEO of World Vision, Mr Chris Clarke was in attendance and presented Mr Robinson with the first Platinum Award for raising more than $100,000. ‘This is my favourite school assembly of all time’, he said. ‘We used to dream about a school raising $100,000 and you guys did it. We are so touched by your commitment to children around the world.’ He told of the confidence and hope that assistance such as this can provide to a community. Donations had helped enable Chigodi families to be given training in small scale irrigation to grow crops in times of drought, gardens had been introduced to schools, and goats had been bought. ‘We consider Saint Kentigern very much in the heart of the World Vision family.’