THE
work of local charity groups is not the usual
topic you'd expect to hear your average teenager
discussing. But, for the members of last year's
Griffith High School Year 10 formal organising
committee, where they'd donate any left over
funds was right up there with hairstyles, dresses,
suits and table settings.
Organising committee member Aimee Wells said
Griffith Suicide Awareness and Country Hope
were chosen for the good work they do with young
people. Just under $500, the remaining funds
from the sale of tickets for the event held
at the Gemini Hotel in November, was shared
between the two groups.
"We know they are local charities and both
help young people," Aimee said. "Our
year was touched by suicide a few years ago
and we know that there are lots of sick kids
out there who need help. When we started planning
it was one of the first things we thought of."
Country Hope's Babs Donaldson thanked the students
for their generosity. "We are just so grateful
and delighted to see teenagers being so thoughtful
and thinking about others," she said. "We
have recently gone from 10 sick kiddies to 11
so any help we can get is welcome."
Suicide Awareness president Val Rowe said acts
of kindness such as this donation restored her
faith in young people. "That youth are
getting behind us is wonderful," she said.
"This money will go toward our Fresh Start
program that we are about to start."
By
TANYA PATTISON, The Area News, 22 February 2008.
