Luger Boa singer prize for busking students

Christmas came early for a group of Iona College students on Thursday, as Luger Boa frontman Jimmy Christmas stopped off for a performance and personalised music lesson.

The singer was a prize - awarded to the school for raising the largest sum of money for the Child Cancer Foundation by participating in the nationwide Big Busk campaign.

In May, about 46 Iona College students took to the streets of Havelock North to busk, and after a couple of hours had raised $806 for the children's charity.

Thursday's lesson went from 9am to 3pm at Iona College.

A group of 18 students ranging from year 7 to 13, with an interest in music and song writing got to participate.

"I think the girls were just really inspired," head of music at the college, Angela Warmke, said.

"The way he worked with them was just really inspiring. I think some of them were talking about making a band next year."

By the end of the day with Mr Christmas, the girls had written two pieces of original music.

This year was the first time the Big Busk competition had run and Iona planned to participate again if the event went ahead next year.

"I think the girls were all really keen to get involved, and it's obviously a really good cause."

Iona was one of 62 schools from around the country that raised money during the Big Busk.

Their donations were important for the charity, Child Cancer Foundation spokeswoman Megan Horsburgh said.

"We don't get any government funding so we rely on grants and fundraising," she said.

"The other aspect is that it is good for them to do something for other kids that are going through a hard time."