THREE Warracknabeal Secondary College students have raised more than $1000 for the Elli Martha fund after gaining inspiration from leadership school.
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The Elli Martha fund helps Wimmera families with sick children travel for medical treatment.
The fund was set up in memory of Warracknabeal’s Elli Martha Butuyuyu who died from a brain tumour in 2014.
Year 10 students Leah Penny, Darcie O’Connor and Ireland Power were invited to attend School for Student Leadership at Glenormiston last year.
The school encouraged them to create their own community leadership project.
Leah said they chose to raise money for the Elli Martha fund because they felt it was a charity that was close to their hearts.
She said the girls set out to raise $300 with two big raffles but were pleasantly surprised with the generosity of the community.
“My father cut two trailer loads of wood for us to raffle and we sold tickets at the Warrack Eagles versus Dimboola football match,” she said.
“It was really good because people from both clubs were buying tickets.
“We also sold tickets outside Warracknabeal Pharmacy and also went door-to-door in the town.”
Ireland said the girls also sold Elli Socks to teachers, staff and other students while at the leadership school camp.
“The response was great and we actually ran out of socks after the first day and we had to get more sent down to us,” she said.
“We raised $1030.85 from raffles and sock sales, which was way beyond anything we had expected.”
Rural Northwest Health chief executive Catherine Morley praised the three students for their commitment.
“It’s very warming to know that these girls recognised the importance of the Elli Martha fund and worked hard to support it,” she said.
“The community has been behind the fund from the start and we are supporting families with children needing to travel long distances for medical treatment,” she said.
“It has been a rewarding and emotive experience.”