A group of students at Cambridge High School are organizing a 40 Hour Famine fundraising challenge against the school staff. Pictured are, back row: Seth Hope, Jack Monkley, Josh Hogan and Sean Hale. Front row: Iris Harterink, Georgina Jervis and Molly Oldershaw.
Cambridge High School’s students and staff will go head to head this month in a battle for good – seeing who can raise the most funds during the 40 Hour Famine.
Each year more than 6,000 students from at least 30 Waikato schools take part in the 40 Hour Famine from June 8 – 10, the country’s largest youth fundraising event, and a staple childhood experience for many Kiwis. This year the nation-wide event is fundraising for child refugees of South Sudan.
“It’s about raising awareness around the 40 Hour Famine, not just for us but awareness for other people as well,” said Georgina Jervis, one of the Cambridge High School (CHS) students organising the staff-student challenge.
“The staff have said this way (staff vs. students) has worked really well in the past, to get a bit of competition going,” said another student organiser, Molly Oldershaw.
The last time the school’s staff and students tried the challenge, the result was about 50/50. This year the student organisers hope to see their fellow CHS youth in full force. They’re doing the challenge this weekend, since the recent weekend was their annual school ball.
“The staff get pretty into it aye,” Josh Hogan said. “It’s going to come down to how much the students get involved, because if every person gave just a little bit, we’d waste the staff!”
“We’re going to pitch to the students, you don’t necessarily have to be giving up food, you could be doing anything for 40 hours,” Molly explained.
“You could do anything,” Josh added, “It could be a 40km run, 40 hours without a bed, just sleeping on the floor, or something like that.”
Jack Monkley said he planned on going without sleep for 40 hours, and Seth Hope said he might go without technology, “because I need food and sleep!” he said.
To help the students beat their teachers, and help children in South Sudan, visit www.worldvision.org.nz/40-Hour-Famine/South-Sudan and type “Cambridge High School” into the “Search for a fundraising page” tool bar, to donate direct.
