21 October 2024
Rockingham Senior High School sets the standard for community engagement with its Try-A-Thon named the most successful Telethon community fundraiser ever.
The grassroots fundraiser is the 12th of its kind at the high school, located in Perth’s south, with more than 500 students and staff exercising non-stop for five hours to help the sick kids in WA.
School captain Rihare spoke to 7News Perth, saying, “This is the day we get to come together as a school community and really enhance and grow our school culture.”
The length of a rugby field, try line to try line, students ran, walked, skipped and danced their way to raising more than $60,000 at this year’s event.
Even Fat Cat came down to provide some encouragement and support.
“Some of these kids don’t have a lot themselves, so for them to dig deep and get support around them to raise money has been amazing,” said associate principal Stephen Mounsey.
The funds raised at the Try-A-Thon are just a drop in the ocean of support that the Rockingham SHS community has bid to Telethon, with this year’s cheque contributing to more than $500,000 raised by the school over the past 12 years.
“It feels good to be a part of something that’s not for ourselves, something bigger than ourselves,” said school captain Indi.
The annual Try-A-Thon is a testament to the school’s priority of having a positive culture.
Stephen said two students managed to raise $2,000 each.
“The kids have been fantastic, and we celebrate this success with them, as without the kids not reaching out for donations it wouldn’t be possible,” he said.
Stephen presented the cheque for $60,000 live on-air on Channel 7, contributing to the record-breaking $83.3 million raised for Telethon this year.
Images courtesy of The West Australian.