School principals and students from around Mandurah gathered on Thursday to present a cheque to alliance members from Peel Says No to Violence.
Fifteen schools from across the Peel region took part in free dress days between Monday, November 26 and Friday, November 30 to collect thousands of dollars for the organisation, which raises awareness about family and domestic violence.
Justine Hanson, Dr Sue Fyfe and Andrea Kelly from Peel Says No to Violence accepted the giant cheque on December 6 and thanked the schools for their collaboration.
A $1000 donation from the City of Mandurah bought the total to more than $5,400.
Mandurah Primary School were the first school to pledge as an alliance member to Peel Says No to Violence in an effort to help children better understand the importance of healthy, respectful relationships.
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Principal Natasha Upcott congratulated and thanked everyone who took part in the initiative.
“There’s been a recent announcement about a new plan for violence in schools and this is so timely for all of us to stand together around violence in our community,” she said.
“For a very short timeline, this money is insane and we should be very proud of ourselves
“We started an initiative at our school as a pledge to Peel Says No to Violence and that’s our goal to get every single school on board participating next year.”
Mandurah Primary School currently provide school bags, uniforms and basic supplies to children who are experiencing family and domestic violence to ensure they can still receive an education.
Ms Upcott said the money raised would be used to expand the program.
“Our idea has spread to other schools wanting to show their support as well as increasing awareness of the issue within their own school communities and so Peel Schools Say No to Violence was born,” she said.
“All monies raised will go towards extending the school bag program across all participating schools.
“Family and domestic violence isn’t something that only happens to ‘other people’ – it’s something that can affect all of us in many different ways and changing that is something we all have a role to play in.”
For more information, visit peelsaysnotoviolence.org.au.