Dannevirke school top NZ fundraiser for World Vision

Malachi Dean (left), who will be Totara College's World Vision leader next year, with this year's leaders, Sara Fraser and Joel Dean. Photo / Supplied

Dannevirke's Totara College is leading the way in New Zealand when it comes to raising money for World Vision as part of the 40-hour famine fundraiser.

This year the college raised $4900 for World Vision and last Wednesday night in Wellington it was named the top school in New Zealand for the most money raised per capita of students.

"It was so exciting to receive the award," teacher Ruth Peters said.

"We were really honoured to be given a certificate acknowledging the fact we were top school per capita in the North Island and New Zealand."

Totara College, which has 61 students, has been involved in the 40-hour famine since the late 1980s.

This year the fundraiser was led by student leaders Sara Fraser and Joel Dean, who organised mufti days, house group quizzes and the first ever round robin sports competition.

To celebrate the students' hard work, the fundraising culminated in two overnight sleeps - one for the junior school and one for the seniors.

And teacher Ruth Peters was also honoured in Wellington, along with two teachers from other schools, for her long-time commitment to working with students on their World Vision fundraising.