Students raise $18,000 for Starlit HOPE

Friday, October 2nd, 2015

Fundraising by New Plymouth’s Francis Douglas Memorial College students has raised $18,000, for Starlit HOPE.

That exceeded the target they had set themselves by $12,000.

Starlit HOPE was started by 13 year old Gabby Devine who died in May from bone cancer.

It is a charity designed to give cheer to children in hospital and their families.

Every year Francis Douglas leaders select a charity that they’re going to raise money for throughout the year,” head boy Louis Poole said.

“This year we’ve chosen Starlit HOPE. Unfortunately a few weeks after we made our decision Gabby passed away.

“It’s been pretty hard on the family and we’re just willing to support them as much as we can and honour our commitments.”

The Francis Douglas students recently presented the money to Gabby’s parents Roland and Sarah.

Poole, explains Starlit Hope was the school’s year-long fundraising project. “We thought this one was close to home and a lot of good deeds were being done from it.”

The students held various in-house events, and a community fundraising dinner and auction, held on July 31, which raised $14,000.

“It was an awesome night,” he said. “We had a big turn out of people and it was really good to see all the support they gave.”

The school’s fundraising record from previous years was $6000. “With the great support form the school and community we managed to get everyone behind it and raise $18,000, which is three times what we were expecting,” he said.

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