By Renee Wood
Healesville Primary School students enjoyed a special colour run event to mark the end of a fundraiser for a new shade sail for the have been working hard fundraising for a new shade sail.
The total tally from the fundraising this year equaled over $15,000.
School business manager Louise George said it’s been a great achievement after three years fundraising, with the total cost $36,000.
“Each year we’ve quarantined the money that we’ve raised, and this year we’re finally able to put all that money together and we can get shade above the playground,” Ms George said.
“We’ve contacted our shade supplier and I think its going to go up sometime around June and be ready for summer.”
All students were given the opportunity to fundraise with a special ‘Splatacular’ colour run event signing off the fundraising efforts on Friday 1 April.
Grade three student Macey was awarded a prize before the colour run event kicked off for raising the most amount, more than $1000.
Prep H class was also acknowledged for being the class who raised the most.
Star Mail had a pleasant visit from Macey looking to top up the tally during the week.
Macey and her mum have been visiting businesses in Healesville over the past couple of weeks, rallying the troops to donate funds for the cause.
“It feels really good because I’m really hoping that we have enough money to get the shade sail and knowing that we have such a nice neighborhood – it really feels nice,” Macey said.
Macey is grateful for the many businesses who have donated, including the Healesville RSL, Matilda Bay, Fletchers Real Estate, Versos and many more.
The eight year old, who is also on the school council, is looking forward to having more protection for the sun while playing at school.
“In our playground we have absolutely no shade in the area where I like to play in the three four playground and it gets really hot most of the times and even though we were hats outside that doesn’t help it mostly makes our head even sweaty,” she said.
“So we’re really hoping we can get that shade sail.”
Ms George was also grateful to Macey for her commitment helping the cause.
“She has got a lot of poise for someone her age to be so passionate about getting the shade sails for the school is just wonderful.”
The colour run event was also marked a special celebration for the kids, with this term being the first to go ahead without disruptions from pandemic remote learning requirements.
“So many events have had to be canceled – we haven’t had any camps, we haven’t had excursions, and now we’re just getting back into our sporting events. We’re now just starting to be normal again so it’s a great great way to celebrate.”
