Pupils from Mobberley CE Primary School hosted an Action for Australia fundraiser to raise funds and awareness about the bush fires in Australia.

The year 6 pupils ran this project as part of their Young Leaders Award (YLA). The YLA is a fully resourced leadership and character education programme, designed by the Archbishop of York Youth Trust,to be delivered by teaching staff within the classroom. Through the YLA, Young Leaders learn key leadership skills and character virtues, that they put into practice by running a social action project.

For their social action project, the Mobberley Primary Young Leaders wanted to make a difference to the lives of the pupils who attend Clifton Creek Primary School.

Clifton Creek Primary School in Victoria was burnt to the ground by wildfires which have been sweeping through the country since September, killing dozens of people and destroying thousands of homes. The Young Leaders from Mobberley School donated their money raised to an appeal for Clifton Creek School in Victoria, after being touched by stories from the pupils.

For the fundraising, pupils held buckets at the start and the end of the day near the entrances to collect money from staff and parents. Other pupils also gave money to the fund from their pocket money. A whole school collective worship was led by the Young Leaders, who spoke about the bush fires, why they happened and what was being done to help those in need.

The children wore yellow clothes with their school uniform, to remind them of the national flower of Australia and the colour worn by the Australian sports teams. Throughout the fundraiser, the Young Leaders raised a fantastic £470 to donate to Clifton Creek Primary School.

Clare Kozyra, year 6 teacher and the Young Leaders Award lead, said:

“We saw on the news how Cheshire schools were getting involved in fundraising, which spurred us on. The day enabled the children to gain a deeper understanding of the situation, and made them realise they are not just part of their families but part of the global community, and if we are in a position to help that’s a good thing to do. The day was aimed at educating the children to make a difference.”

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