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Smallest schools and communities have biggest hearts

New Zealand’s smallest schools and communities show they have the biggest hearts

New Zealand’s low decile and smallest schools have been among the most generous when it comes to helping to save lives, as they fundraise to support Mondiale LifePod infant incubators.

Since appealing to the nation’s schools to sponsor LifePods, which schools can then personalise and send to the country of their choice, Sir Ray and Lady Anna Avery have been overwhelmed by the response. There are now 30 schools on board, including Waihi East School, a decile 3 school in the Waikato, which raised $8,000 in just ten weeks.

Lady Anna Avery said, “It seems that it’s the lower decile and smaller schools that are making the biggest difference. Tiny Mossburn School in Southland with a roll of just 50 to 70 students raised $4,000, as did Papatoetoe High School, a decile 3 school. “The feedback is amazing – parents, teachers and students are telling us how fabulous it feels to raise money for such a great cause and how much they are learning from the experience.”

Waihi East School started fundraising in term three and found the community were quick to offer help. “We’re humbled by the generosity our wonderful town has shown us," says School Principal Emily Hargreaves, “We’ve received so much support, including the donation of a fourth LifePod in our name if we raised enough for three, and we did it. We're all so excited that we have enough to help at least 2,000 babies have a better start in life.’’

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Fundraising events included a sponsored golf tournament, mufti day, biscuit sale and Twilight Market. "We hope other schools take up this challenge," says Hargreaves, "not only is this a worthwhile cause, bringing the community together but is has been a great way of showing our children how important it is to think about others."

The children from Waihi East School have chosen to send three LifePods to Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, and are inviting anyone from the local community to come into school and vote on where to send the fourth LifePod.

Designed specifically for use in developing countries, each LifePod infant incubator costs $2,000 to produce. It is estimated that each will save at least 500 lives. For more about LifePod infant incubators go to: www.thelifepod.co.nz.


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