Driver Primary School joins forces to raise $3k for Leukaemia Foundation

Ten schools across a Northern Territory region have teamed up to make their area known for something other than bad news stories. See how they’re doing it.

Sick of the negative press students in Palmerston receive, a group of 10 schools have teamed up to change the narrative.

They created an initiative called Student Voice, Positive Choice which allows school leaders to participate in activities and events that promote something positive within the community.

Driver Primary School vice principal Emma Hansen said the program was launched in 2018 to respond to a cycle of bad news stories.

“It all stems down to Palmerston students having the opportunity to do good, because there’s so many bad news stories from Palmerston youth that flood the news feed,” she said.

“We’re constantly trying to get good news stories out there — so that’s kind of the direction it’s taken.”

Holly Kennedy, Xander Prosser, Ashton Ling and Karen Scott from Driver Primary School raised money for Leukaemia foundation. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

This year the goodness manifested itself as a fundraising cause for the Leukaemia Foundation.

Joining with kids from Bakewell Primary School, Durack School, Gray Primary School, Palmerston College, Woodroffe Primary School, Rosebery Primary School, Moulden Park School, Forrest Parade School and Zuccoli Primary School, the students raised more than $3000 for the cause.

The Driver Primary School’s fundraising efforts involved a casual dress day, sausage sizzle and face painting day.

“Some schools raise $50 and some raise $800, that’s not important in the end — it’s about raising awareness,” Ms Hansen said.

WHY THE LEUKAEMIA FOUNDATION?

About 70 Territorians are diagnosed with some form of blood cancer every year.

For many of the kids it was the first time they had heard of the condition.

“We chose to support and spread awareness of leukaemia,” year 6 student Xander Prosser said.

“We did it so we could help patients in need with leukaemia.”

He said a particular speaker at the SPVC summit, Lauren Stacy, really moved a lot of the students and compelled them to support the charity.

“Even though she did have leukaemia she didn’t stop fighting and in the end she got through it,” he said.

Lauren Stacy from the Leukaemia Foundation. Picture: Facebook/Supplied

Perth-based Ms Stacy, who was diagnosed with blood cancer in 2015, said she was honoured to spark the interest of the Palmerston kids’ charitable spirit.

“This is an incredible initiative and I was totally blown away by the level of passion, care and selflessness these students and teachers have,” she said.

“These students are our future leaders who will ultimately be creating the future world we all live in.

“I think the world is in good hands with these kids at the wheel.”

Leukaemia Foundation chief executive Chris Tanti also thanked the schools for their contribution.

$349.95 was raised by the Student Voice Positive Choice program in Palmerston. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

“On behalf of the Leukaemia Foundation and the 135,000 Australians living with blood cancer I want to thank the students of Driver Primary school and the other schools involved in Student Voice Positive Choice for choosing to support the Leukaemia Foundation.”

“These students are shining a light on this disease as well as helping to ensure blood cancer patients have access to the right information, support and care they need to fight the disease as well as someone to turn to every step of the way,” Mr Tanti said.

Ms Hansen said during the kids awareness campaign, they realised just how large a footprint cancer can have.

“There have been other stories that come out, one girl at another school had shaved her head because her mum had breast cancer so there’s been some connections identified,” she said.