Kaipaki School made such a significant contribution to the recent Cancer Society appeal Waikato Bay of Plenty official Heather Connolly attended the end of school assembly to say thank you.
Going bananas: pictured from left, Dallas Pope, Ollie Wakeling and Oli Schick dressed in daffodil colours for the cross-country event.
And one pupil, Oli Schick, the son of Gina and Rodney Schick at Windsor Stud, was recognised as the top individual fund raiser in the Waikato Bay of Plenty region for raising $23,155.
The money will fund a Cancer Care nurse navigator for four months, enabling support for over 100 people living with cancer.
“The fact that you can do this is utterly outstanding,” Connolly the society’s head of philanthropy said at the prizegiving. “Oli, and the Kaipaki senior students are making a huge difference to our community.”
Principal Kim Budd said rural Kaipaki School – which celebrates its 150th anniversary next year – was immensely proud of its senior student leaders for their compassion, initiative, and commitment to service in the community.
“They have demonstrated outstanding leadership, generosity, and community spirit, raising significant funds for the Cancer Society Waikato Bay of Plenty through their annual school cross country event,” she said.
As part of the event, senior learners organised a bake sale, face painting, and other activities and raised more than $700. Ten senior leaders completed a sponsored run, far exceeding the distances of their age groups. Each lap of the cross-country course attracted pledged donations, and contributions continue to come in.
Kaipaki School students
“Your kindness and generosity make a world of difference,” said Connolly.
“You are helping nurse navigators who go out into the community, ensuring people are not alone on their journey, funding research to better understand cancer, and providing vital support across our region. You have shown kindness, courage, and leadership.”
The society receives strong support in the Waikato – in July a team of 40 Fonterra Lichfield volunteers planted 3000 daffodil bulbs at the site entrance to have them ready for harvest in time for Daffodil Day at the end of August.
Meanwhile, more than 90 sites around the country – including Tirau and Te Aroha in the greater Waikato – will light up in pink as part of a global illuminations campaign to promote the Breast Cancer Foundation’s annual appeal on October 17 and 18.
Students at Kaipaki School
