A colourful fundraiser

On Friday, 11 November, Relief Teacher Brian Shaw and Science Teacher Kristine Head took part in a short colour run to raise awareness of Neurofibromatosis (NF) and much-needed funds for the Children’s Tumour Foundation (CTF), supporting families affected by the genetic disease.

There are three types of NF, with NF1 affecting about one in 2500 people, NF2 affecting about one in 25,000 people, and Schwannomatosis (NF3) affecting about one in 40,000 people. The statistics indicate that in Australia, a newborn baby will be affected by NF every three days.

Mr Shaw has been affected by NF1 and has been an advocate and a fundraiser for the CTF for more than 25 years.

Students and staff were able to purchase a green or blue bag of powder (maize/corn starch) for $10 to be involved in the colour run. After purchasing their colour, they formed a line and showered the powder over the runners (Ms Head and Mr Shaw). Even though it was only a short run, the school staff and students contributed more than $800 out of the $3300 total for Team Shaw, which is an outstanding amount given the short period that funds were raised in.

Mr Shaw would like to thank the school for allowing this event to occur and to all the students and staff who contributed to raising the money. If you would like to find out more about NF and the work that the CTF performs, please visit www.ctf.org.au.