Generosity shines through as school raises money for Sleepbus

Published 9:00am 18 May 2023

Above: Principal Trudi Ivins, School Chaplain Nathan Grady, Teacher Librarian Cynthia Jago, Deputy Principal Kathy Hotz and Head of Curriculum Kellie Judd got into the spirit of the free dressup day to raise money for the Redcliffe Sleepbus.

Students and teachers from Hercules Road State School have pitched in to help people in need by raising hundreds of dollars for Redcliffe’s new Sleepbus.

The school raised an impressive $582 from a crazy hair and sock fundraiser, which was held as part of their Harmony Week celebrations.

Hercules Road State School Head of Curriculum Kellie Judd said she was proud of the entire school community for thinking of the less fortunate.

“Each year we raise money for a local cause as part of our Harmony Week celebrations. In the past we have helped organisations like The Breakfast Club and Orange Sky, but with Redcliffe getting a new Sleepbus this year, we decided to help them,” Kellie said.

“At our big Harmony Week Parade, we told the kids all about the Sleepbus and how it will help a lot of people in our community.

“Everyone really got behind the fundraiser, which was amazing to see. I’m always so impressed with all the crazy hair creations the parents come up with.

“The school would like to thank our generous community for participating and giving back to such a worthy local cause.”

The Redcliffe Sleepbus is a first for the Moreton Bay Region. The bus will feature 18 individual sleep pods and will ensure people who are homeless or sleeping rough will have access to a safe place to spend the night.

Sleepbus CEO Simon Rowe has thanked the school for their generous contribution, which will go towards the overall running costs when the bus arrives.

Above: Students Levi Clark (Year 3) and Ariah Clark (Prep) show off their crazy hair and socks.

Collecting blankets for the needy

The school has also launched a blanket drive which will provide some warmth to people who are homeless or sleeping rough during the winter months.

“At the end of our Harmony Week celebrations, Helen from the Breakfast Club came and did another chat on parade about how they were in need of warm blankets to hand out to the people they help,” Kellie said.

“So, we are also running a blanket drive where people can donate new or clean second-hand blankets. People can drop them into the office anytime.

“When I have enough, I will run them down to The Breakfast Club.”