The staff, students and families of Beaconhills College in Melbourne’s South-East have been a valued supporter of Cancer Council Victoria for over a decade.
During that time, they’ve raised just over $330,000 for cancer research, support and prevention by mobilising the school community to participate in Relay For Life. The event itself is a special moment for the community to celebrate survivors, remember loved ones lost, and come together against cancer.
Held on a circuit, participants are sponsored to represent their team by walking in shifts throughout the course of the relay.
In the past, college community teams have joined either the Casey or Cardinia Relay For Life events. However, last year the school decided to take the event ‘in-house’ with impressive results, raising an incredible $45,796!
Head of Citizenship and Service, Sarah Dyce said Beaconhills College wanted to ‘think outside the box’ this year in the way staff, students and the wider community took part in the event, with an emphasis on student involvement. Noting that enthusiasm for Relay For Life grows each year.
“After COVID lockdowns there was an increased appetite from our broader college community to connect, give back and make a difference in the lives of others,” Ms Dyce said.
“Our college values of ‘respect’, ‘compassion’ and ‘integrity’ are evident throughout the lead-up to the event, as well as the event itself.”
Beaconhills student ambassadors for Relay For Life took the reins promoting this year’s event with great enthusiasm, building support through assembly and special college events. They also coordinated creative fundraising stalls and activities, including crazy hair, face paint and cupcakes to run throughout the day of the relay.
Unfortunately, their big day on Friday, 8 September coincided with extreme weather. Gale force winds and rain meant the Beaconhills community had to swiftly revise the program. Despite this, 3000 students came together at their Pakenham and Berwick campuses and still managed to raise just over $22,000 towards the work of Cancer Council Victoria supporting people affected by cancer. What an incredible effort by everyone involved!
When it comes to cancer, it takes a community. Across Australia, hundreds of volunteers host unique Relay For Life events to raise vital funds for Cancer Council.