Bendigo Bank Charity Challenge

In semester one, four groups of students from the Biomedical & Health Sciences subject Wellness and two groups of VCAL students participated in the Bendigo Bank Charity Challenge. The Bendigo Bank Charity Challenge is an initiative of Student Career Development, sponsored by the Bendigo Bank, challenging students to raise money for a charity of their choice in the Western suburbs. For the Wellness students it was a Learning in the Workplace and Community activity.

Each group was given start up funds of $250 to begin their fundraising and allocated a mentor from the Bendigo Bank.

The students set about their fundraising with plenty of big ideas. Trivia nights, a concert, and a coffee house music night along with silent auctions and raffles were the main activities and events organised by the Wellness students, all promoting the values and principles of wellness. The Higher Education students raised over $7,500 between them and at an event hosted by the Bendigo Bank, presented their cheques to their charities: Australian Breastfeeding Association; Open Family; and Women’s Health West.

The VCAL students, whose challenge is still ongoing, began their fundraising for the Ardoch Foundation with a sausage sizzle, held outside the Bendigo Bank in Williamstown one Saturday morning. It was fantastic to see the students all taking part, with individual and team responsibilities. The students also promoted a lolly jar competition and had furniture for sale that had been donated to them. To date, the VCAL students have raised approximately $700. Keep reading your global emails for news of future fundraising events by the VCAL students!

Speaking with the VCAL students and hearing from the Higher Education students at their presentation night, it is clear that the Bendigo Bank Charity Challenge has further developed communication, problem solving, team work and leadership skills and that the students recognise the benefits of participating in such a program. The students have also realised the significance of the work of their charities, the role of fundraising in supporting charitable programs, and the importance of giving to the community.

For further information on the Bendigo Bank Charity Challenge, 2008 events and activities or the 2009 project, please contact Janet Jensen, Project Officer, Student Career Development.

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