Hard works earns $1500 for Solomons

The Reception Committee at Chanel College, from left, was Mizuki Ishigochi, Jessica Gregory, Kimberley Allen and Sarah Kelly. PHOTO/CLAIRE HILLS

Chanel College students, teachers and parents raised $1500 for Solomon Islands storm victims after walking and running charity laps - some completing almost 70 kilometres in distance - over a 24-hour period at the weekend.

Chanel College head of English Claire Hills said student members of Young Vinnies, the junior group of the St Vincent De Paul Society, had been led on the 24-hour charity drive by college head girl Katie Craig after accepting the Caritas Challenge, which is an annual fund-raising event aimed at schools and youth groups to build solidarity with people living through poverty or injustice.

Caritas challenges young people to undertake an activity "that brings them closer to the living conditions of those less fortunate" and participants seek sponsorship for taking up and surviving the challenge.

Participants can either engage in 24 hours of physical activity like running or cycling, build and sleep overnight in a cardboard shelter, work in shifts over 24 hours, or deny themselves food or access to technology for 24 hours.

Mrs Hill said Chanel College students took the Caritas Challenge "for many reasons", joining Catholic schools from all over New Zealand and running a fundraising event for people of the Solomon Islands. "'They are the third largest Pacific Island country, but the poorest. They are still recovering from the civil unrest that started 15 years ago. They need more schools, better hospitals and more roads. On top of that they have suffered an earthquake, a cyclone and the worst floods in 28 years all in the last week."

Young Vinnies invited teachers, parents and fellow students to join the 24-hour walk and runathon, Mrs Hills said, with students working together to make the most of the event.

She said "rugby boys were the master chefs" running the barbecue, making hamburgers and selling cakes, muffins, sweets and drinks to feed the walkers and the runners and there were spot prizes, music and a competition "to see how many laps people could run or walk".

"Students were invited to dress up for the occasion - and they did. We had frogs, giraffes, tigers, strange green creatures and an assortment of beautiful fairies," she said.

"Age was no barrier. The youngest walker was 13-month-old Mercedes, who was happy to hold the hands of her older Chanel friends as she toddled round the track. Her proud mother was present when she was given a spot prize for her efforts."

Mrs Hills said tents were used for participants needing rest and students had kept walking all through Saturday night until 1pm on Sunday. "I wouldn't be surprised if they slept for the rest of the day."

Chanel College principal Grant Miles said two students had completed 170 laps, and he was proud of their commitment and the charitable efforts of every participant in the charity event.