Fundraising champions - blackfriars tops walk for love donations

A group of Blackfriars students has been honoured as the highest school-based fundraisers in the Mary Potter Foundation’s 2023 Walk for Love.

The Blackfriars students, led by Year 9 Nathan Bishop, raised more than $2700 for the Foundation, supporting the palliative care work of North Adelaide’s Mary Potter Hospice.

“Eleven boys completed the walk, with nine of them being from Year 9 and two from Year 12, both being Prefects,” said Nathan, who initially hoped to raise $250.

Blackfriars Greatest Shave: $10,000 donation to Mary Potter Foundation

Blackfriars has donated a hair-raising $10,050 to the Mary Potter Foundation.

“It was great to have so much support from the Blackfriars families, with donations even if the students were unable to complete the walk. Thank you to every member of the Blackfriars community who made a donation.”

Nathan initiated the school’s involvement in the Walk for Love. His extended family has participated in the event for a number of years, after his great uncle spent the final weeks of his life in Mary Potter Hospice.

He hopes to coordinate a school team again in 2024 and beyond.

“From how successful this year turned out to be, the boys who participated this year will really look to grow it through our school community and get a bigger group to walk in the upcoming years. It is also something that I would love to educate other younger years, so that the walk will continue after I graduate.”

Walk for Love team members (back, from left), Anthony Phuy, Harry Boyd-Turner, Simon Mazzarolo, Reuben Calleja, Jason Pham, Sebastian Ferenchuk, James De Ceukelaire, (front) Tom O’Callaghan, Nathan Bishop and Lucas Semcesen. Absent: Liam Le.

Meanwhile, Blackfriars Old Scholars Football Club was named the Walk for Love’s highest community group fundraiser.

“As a club, we were able to contribute over $2000 to The Mary Potter Foundation as a result of Family Day activities and fundraising,” President David Nelson said.

“In 2015, BOSFC players initiated the creation of a special guernsey to be worn during our Ladies’ Day round, now known as Family Day, which recognised our club’s enduring partnership with the Mary Potter Foundation. The club decided that all funds raised on the day would be donated to the Foundation.

“BOSFC is very proud of our ongoing association with The Mary Potter Foundation. Our community is happy to help the Hospice continue to provide quality care for people with life-limiting illness.”