Students raise more than $7 000 in Variety’s Gold Heart campaign

In support of the Variety – The Children’s Charity’s 2024 Gold Heart Campaign, St Winifred’s School students worked tirelessly last to help raise over $7 000 to help purchase needed medical equipment to care for children.

During a brief presentation at the school where the funds were handed over on Monday, school principal Kim Lewis told reporters that the efforts by the children and their parents were outstanding, as they all came together to help raise money for the worthy cause.

“I think some of the parents were very enthusiastic to try and help their kids. I went all over the place to different stores, and Brighton Farmers Market, and found kids selling hearts. The parents really supported them; they ran out of the hearts and had to search for hearts,” she said. “They just couldn’t get enough hearts for our kids to sell, which is great. We want the kids to always grow up with that feeling of being part of a community  so, for me, this was a big one for us,” Lewis said.

The principal said she was pleasantly surprised by the amount of money raised: “That was almost 400 [hearts] that last child sold. That is a lot, especially in the climate of everyone watching their pennies. I was very surprised but very proud of them too…. The numbers that took part in committing to trying to sell these hearts is quite incredible.”

Jacqui McDermott, representative of the Gold Heart’s committee at Variety – The Children’s Charity also congratulated the students on their efforts.

“We were very impressed and thoroughly delighted with the efforts of the St Winifred’s School and the children here. It really takes those parent volunteers to get involved and to bring the kids together in order to create that campaign, managing the hearts, [and] the money being brought back in,” she said. “It’s not something that is sustainable for us to do on an individual level. If we can plead with any other parents or volunteers that want to get their own school involved for 2025, then please do approach us.”

Students Alexandra and Amelia Stoute sold the most hearts – 364 – which brought in $1 820. In recognition of their efforts, they were rewarded with a staycation at Sea Breeze Beach House.

(SB)