A fundraising running challenge to ensure every child has what they need to thrive at school is coming to an end, with a final push to meet a $50,000 goal.
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Almost 150 community members set themselves a running goal throughout November and have collectively raised more than $43,000.
The money will be used to provide back to school vouchers to Ballarat families experiencing financial difficulty to purchase uniforms, books and other essential items.
Ballarat Foundation distributed $20,000 worth of back to school vouchers last year, but this did not meet the need in the community.
It makes the world of difference at that time for that family.
- Dale Power, Miner's Rest Primary School
Reaching a $50,000 fundraising goal would allow Ballarat Foundation to distribute 1000 vouchers to struggling families.
Miners Rest Primary School principal Dale Power said the vouchers were an invaluable tool for a principal to have on hand and be able to distribute as needed throughout the year.
"Sometimes it is a prop up or support that is the difference between a child having an experience in the school they wouldn't otherwise have or get to purchase something all the other children have or they get to go on an excursion they wouldn't otherwise get to attend," he said.
"It makes the world of difference at that time for that family. When there are unforeseen circumstances or they fall on hard times that they are sitting ready to go."
Feedback from Ballarat primary schools that received vouchers for pupils last year revealed many families struggled throughout the pandemic and the vouchers enabled pupils to access needed resources.
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One survey response said a single mum who received a voucher used it to purchased shoes for her sons.
"Their feet were growing quickly and they were excited about the opportunity to buy new shoes," the response said.
One parent who received a voucher last year said: "The voucher I received helped with the purchase of stationery for my child that I would not have been able to afford without it."
"The school helps my family when I am in need in a lot of ways."
RELATED COVERAGE: Registrations open for virtual fundraising event Run For A Cause
Another survey respondent said the vouchers provided students with a choice when purchasing rather than giving them items they may not like.
"The pride in the face of a child who arrived to school in brand new shoes they chose with their parent from Target, rather than be provided with a pair of shoes from state school supply," they said.
"Listening to a child say how lucky they were to get a voucher to buy some things for camp and being able to choose them... thank you."
One school staff member said vouchers helped families to purchase school uniform items.
"When students are in uniform they feel connected to school and ready to learn," they said.
"Our families who have received vouchers are extremely grateful.
"This can make the difference for a child's ability to participate in swimming lessons, camps and sporting events, through being able to purchase particularly necessary clothing."
Mr Power said a child's feeling of belonging at school was important to their engagement.
"Sometimes just a little bit goes a long way for those kids," he said.
"All educational settings are finding re-engagement after 18 months of being in and out of remote learning and back on site quite challenging.
"There is a greater need now more than ever for children to reconnect with their school, their teachers and their classroom friends and feel like they belong gain."
Ballarat Foundation chief executive Andrew Eales said he was proud of community support for Run For A Cause.
"We are really close to our fundraising goal which will help so many young people in the Ballarat community have the best start to the school year in 2022," he said.
"We are urging everyone to keep running, walking and rolling as the month comes to an end - and continue to support our fundraisers - every dollar really counts."
Visit virtual-run-for-a-cause.raisely.com/ to donate.
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