More than $32,000 and counting has been raised for Bloomhill Cancer Care by the Year 12s at Matthew Flinders Anglican College through the “Bloom for June” fundraising campaign, featuring slushy machines, a bake sale, a non-uniform day, a community car wash, and buzz cuts and ponytail chops.
Principal Michelle Carroll congratulated the Year 12 students for their efforts in designing and leading the fundraising campaign, which runs throughout June on campus.
The aim is to support Bloomhill Cancer Care, a local community-based integrative cancer care centre, providing compassionate care for people of all ages on the Sunshine Coast impacted by cancer.
As part of the fundraiser, the College hosted the Buzz for Bloomhill event at lunchtime on Thursday, 12 June, which saw 15 girls, 23 boys and 4 teachers in the Senior School have their hair buzzed or their ponytails chopped for charity, raising more than $30,000 in donations.
Together, the girls’ cut ponytail length totalled 361 cms and will be donated to Sustainable Salons to be made into wigs for people suffering from cancer and other medically-induced hair-loss conditions.
The Buzz for Bloomhill event was held in The Green, the College’s award-winning outdoor learning zone that leads into the new Infinity Centre.
Parents, grandparents and Bloomhill representatives came along to watch the lunchtime spectacle and cheer on the participants. Some even stepped in themselves, picking up the clippers to help give their child a fresh cut.
Maria Faulder, the owner of Suite Three Hair in Buderim, and her team assisted with the haircuts once again; they have generously been involved in the projects at Flinders for many years.
Each year, the Year 12 students lead a fundraising campaign on campus for a different local charity with the aim to demonstrate to their Secondary School peers just how inclusive and rewarding fundraising can be.
In recent years, the Flinders Year 12s have raised $14,000 for The Board Meeting in 2023 and $25,000 for Little Windmills in 2024, all thanks to the generous donations from Flinders students, staff, parents and friends.
Mr Duncan Greenbank, the Flinders Head of Senior School, said the Flinders Seniors enjoyed stepping up to lead their peers for a worthy charity.
“As our Year 12 students prepare to graduate and step into the wider world, they carry not only the hopes for their own future but the responsibility of leaving a meaningful legacy,” Mr Greenbank said.
“Their time as Seniors is shaped by a deep sense of custodianship; honouring the values of those who came before them while setting the tone for those who will follow.
“Amid the demands of their final year, it is heartening to see our Seniors continue to think beyond themselves, choosing to make a positive and lasting impact on the community around them.”
As a school community, Flinders students and staff have learned that the prevalence of cancer is on the rise, and the number of people needing Bloomhill’s help is growing, so every donation helps.
Learn more about Flinders at www.mfac.edu.au
