Mt St Michael’s, Ashgrove, cancer fundraiser cash to be used for two bursaries, triggering anger from students

Students at a Brisbane Catholic school are furious over a move requiring proceeds from an annual cancer research fundraiser to be directed into bursaries for two overseas students.

Mt St Michael’s has bad the polarising decision.

Students at a Brisbane Catholic school are furious over a ban on fundraising for cancer research, claiming it is “controlling” and “goes against the spirit of genuine charity”.

Year 12 girls from Mt St Michael’s have been told proceeds from the annual “MSM Chop” – where their hair is cut for cancer – must go towards bursaries for two African students who wish to attend the Ashgrove school.

One girl told The Courier-Mail the directive was “an insult on so many levels”.

She said many families had been directly impacted by cancer but “we feel our voices are being ignored”.

A letter to parents, and seen by The Courier-Mail, said 100 per cent of sponsorship moneys raised in the MSM Chop “must go to Project Providence … fundraising for third parties is not permitted”.

The school said it hoped to raise $15,000 to provide two comprehensive scholarships for female students in Malawi and Nigeria.

Based on the letter, none of the money raised will go towards cancer research. Picture: iStock

Year 12s would still donate their hair to the Cancer Council’s Ponytail Project, where it would be used to make wigs for cancer patients, she said.

But a student said they felt the purpose of the chop was to raise money for the Cancer Council.

“Everywhere else does it for cancer, and many of our families would prefer to donate money to cancer. This is an insult on so many levels,” she said.

“The school makes it seem that they’re so charitable but when it comes to an important cause that would benefit a charity not directly linked to the school, they don’t like it.

“Not only do they not like it, but they forbid it.

“This raises serious questions about … the school’s charitable efforts.”

A student said while the Year 12 cohort was not against helping African students, they believed this was not the purpose of the “chop”, which is held in June.

“We believe this new policy is unfair and goes against the spirit of genuine charity,” she said.

“Many students want the freedom to choose where their fundraising efforts go, particularly for an issue as significant as cancer research.”

Mt St Michael’s has been contacted for comment.

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Originally published as Mt St Michael’s, Ashgrove, cancer fundraiser cash to be used for two bursaries, triggering anger from students