By Josh Low
Raising awareness and money for the less fortunate was at the heart of La Salle College’s ‘Make a Difference Day’ last week.
Held on Friday 12 May to coincide with the feast day of St John Baptist de La Salle, the focus for the event echoed the teachings of helping the least, the last and the lost.
Some 1500 students of the college participated together with staff with the aim of fundraising for LifeLink as well as the Lasallian Foundation and the St Vincent de Paul society.
Sixty-four Pastoral Care Groups within the college came together to raise money through participating in activities, along with the sale of food and drinks, with students volunteering their time and effort at stalls.
This year also saw students from St Brigid’s Catholic Primary School joining in the festivities for the first time.
Students could take part in a range of activities which included a talent show, sumo suit wrestling, rock climbing, Zorb balls and a dunking machine to dunk their teachers.
The event began in 1963 and has now become part of college tradition for members of the La Salle College community.
La Salle College Principal, Wayne Bull, said the day was a chance to celebrate and come together for some fun, while also raising funds for the less fortunate.
“Primarily, the ‘Make a Difference Day’ is our major fundraising event for the year, supporting a number of charities together with the Archbishop’s LifeLink appeal, with funds also going to the Lasallian Foundation to provide aid to third world countries.
“Apart from the money we raise it’s a wonderful community builder and a great chance to celebrate and come together in remembrance of the life and work of St John Baptist de La Salle.
“It’s a celebration, fundraiser and community builder, but it’s also a chance for us to reflect on our roots and our heritage as a Catholic and a Lasallian school,” Mr Bull said.
College Head Boy, Luke Spadano, said that the yearly event was always enjoyable, and touched on the atmosphere of students and staff at the college.
“There has definitely been a very positive energy from everyone in the school community, with the money and awareness raised being of great benefit in helping the less fortunate,” he said.