News of the trauma to humans and wildlife as a result of the Australian summer bushfires has travelled far and wide and people across the globe want to lend a hand. Even a small school on the other side of the planet are doing their bit to help out.
Lismore MP Janelle Saffin has praised a Scottish school’s fundraising effort to help Lismore Friends of the Koala Incorporated (FOK) continue its work caring for and rehabilitating koalas, including some injured during last year’s bushfires.
Macduff Primary School is a community primary school of around 330 pupils, serving the fishing community of Macduff, population around 4500, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Ms Saffin learned about the Macduff Primary students’ initiative to fundraise as a tribute to Australian firefighters and volunteers, through her friends Jessica Brennan, who now lives in England, and Lauren Scott, a teacher at Macduff.
Ms Brennan and Ms Scott were raised and educated in Lismore and have strong links to the city.
Ms Brennan told Ms Saffin that on January 31 this year, Macduff Primary School had a ‘Going Wild for Wildlife’ day, in which the students, many of whom love koalas, were dressed up in an animal theme.
‘I was absolutely thrilled when I heard about this wonderful initiative, and I immediately let the President of FOK, Dr Ros Irwin, know,’ said Ms Saffin.
‘From the bottom of my heart, I thank the students, teachers, staff members and parents at the school for their generous donation.
Ms Saffin said the money raised will certainly be useful for Friends of the Koala to continue its job in treating sick and injured koalas, and in educating our community how to preserve and protect our koalas.
‘This beautiful gesture from our friends at Macduff Primary School in Scotland will be greatly appreciated not only by the Friends of the Koala but also by the wider community in the Lismore area,’ she said.
Ms Saffin said she also wanted to acknowledge Yamba artist Zoe Ellem who donated some koala art prints, with any proceeds from the sale of them going to FOK.’
The school raised a grand total of £833.36, while Ms Brennan made a personal donation of AU$500. Ms Saffin matched Ms Brennan’s donation.
Ms Saffin has written to Macduff Primary School, thanking everyone at the school for their support and generosity.
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