NABEELAH MOHEDEEN
Over R20 000 was raised at this year’s 12-hour-dance-a-thon at Groenvlei High School, over the weekend.
The project was aimed at raising funds for the school’s outreach programme, The Sunflower Fund as well as the school’s legacy project.
The neon-themed event was hosted to raise funds for those affected by leukaemia as well as to create awareness about the disease in the community. The event was put together by matric pupils who are required to adopt a project from the school’s outreach programmes.
The programme, which was started three years ago, was aimed at creating awareness about cancer, and this year the matrics chose leukaemia as the focus of their outreach programme. The project aims to sensitise the pupils and create the need to contribute to charity.
More than 500 former and current pupils of Groenvlei High School, as well as students from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and the University of the Western Cape and pupils from Livingstone, Mount View and Windsor high schools attended the event dressed in their neon-coloured outfits.
The challenge was to always have someone on the dance floor and pupils took to the challenge by competing with each other thoughout the night.
Matric pupil and one of the founders of the project, Kelly Oliver, said the group chose leukaemia because there is not much awareness about this type of cancer.
“We started planning to create awareness around leukaemia last year. We sent letters to possible sponsors, and the reaction was mixed. The event, however, was a success.
“This project has helped me as a person to be better and make a difference,” said Kelly.
Senior life science teacher Godfrey Hendrickse said the project taught the pupils organisational and leadership skills.
At the entrance to the hall, pupils had the opportunity to sign the #StompOutLeukaemia petition board to pledge their support for raising awareness about leukaemia and treatment of the illness.
Principal Nico Tony Adamson said he was proud of the Grade 12 pupils as they had displayed maturity in organising the event. The event was a huge success. The lessons they have learnt by being involved in such a project can be applied to their studies – lessons of commitment, perseverance, and being goal-orientated.
“I’d like to express my gratitude to all those individuals and organisations who supported us,” said Mr Adamson.