A HORSHAM school fundraiser for Wimmera Against Cancer in Kids has reached its $3000 goal in six hours.
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St Brigid’s College teacher Naomi Gash said staff and students set up an online fundraiser page, in support of year 11 student Ethan Jolley, who has Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Ms Gash said Ethan’s history teacher Jess Giampaolo said she would shave her head if they could raise $3000.
“Ethan said he wanted to money to go towards WACK, so we set up a the online page on Thursday afternoon and it just went nuts,” she said.
Ms Gash said another teacher Tom McGee had also agreed to shave his head, along of three of Ethan’s friends.
“We had a fundraising goal and we’ve already smashed it,” she said.
“It just shows the credit of the school community and shows how much of a strong bond we have with our students.”
Ms Gash said students spread the word about the fundraiser via social media.
She said the school hadn’t even had time to advertise it in the newsletter yet.
“It’s mostly been students donating, and their families,” she said.
“It’s pretty exciting and a real positive for the school and for Ethan.
“He is such a hard working, lovely student who is dedicated to sport, it’s great that he can take away a positive outlook from his experience.”
The students and teachers will shave their heads on September 12.
“We are excited to have already reached our target and we will continue to fundraiser and raise awareness,” Ms Gash said.
Ethan’s treatment involves 12 rounds of chemotherapy spaced out every two weeks over six months.
He said since being diagnosed he had received so much support from family, friends, school and community organisations, including Wimmera Against Cancer in Kids.
Ethan’s friend Axel Fischer is one of the students shaving his head. “At the start of term Ethan told me he had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and I asked him if there was anything I could do to support him,” he said.
“I wanted to be as helpful as I could be.”
Mr Fischer said his dad was involved in Wimmera Against Cancer in Kids.
“The fundraiser has been amazing so far,” he said.
Ms Gash said people could go to gofundme.com to donate.
