You’ve got a friend in me: Student launches new Mary Potter support group
Blackfriars student Nathan Bishop is proving to be a true pal – in more ways than one.
Inspired by a desire to assist people receiving end-of-life care, the Year 10 student has launched Pals for Palliative Care, a new community group dedicated to supporting the work of The Mary Potter Foundation.
Pals for Palliative Care’s first event will be an 11km walk through the streets of North Adelaide and the CBD on Sunday 3 November. About 40 Blackfriars students and at least 10 staff members are expected to take part.
While there will be a fundraising element to the walk, its primary purpose is to raise awareness of The Mary Potter Foundation and the palliative care work of the associated The Mary Potter Hospice.
Nathan is no stranger to fundraising for Mary Potter. This year, a Blackfriars team – led by Nathan – raised more than $6500 as part of the 2024 Walk for Love.
Of the 127 teams that took part in the event, only SA Power Networks raised more than the Blackfriars team. Nathan was also named one of four official ambassadors for the event.
He said Pals for Palliative Care, which he initially developed as part of his SACE Exploring Identities and Futures (EIF) studies, built on his Walk for Love fundraising efforts.
“I am seeing this November event more as a march than a walk. A very open and very public march that shows people who we are as Pals for Palliative Care, as well as who we support with The Mary Potter Foundation and what they do,” Nathan said.
“I hope this is the beginning of something bigger.”
The idea to create a Blackfriars-aligned community group came after this year’s Walk for Love.
“After the last Walk for Love, I spoke with (Year 11 student) Reach (on The Torch podcast) and he asked me the question, ‘how do you motivate other people to do something similar?’ and, as I said to him, it’s two simple words – take initiative,” Nathan said.
“If you want something done, do it yourself. Don’t wait for others to do it for you.
“Mary Potter has a very special personal connection to me and my family and I just really want to publicise and raise awareness about what they do and encourage not just our school, but the Adelaide public, to support them.”
Nathan had met with Jess George, the Deputy Director of The Mary Potter Foundation, who backed the Pals for Palliative Care initiative. She thanked him for “having a place in your heart for patients and families that we help care for”.
“We’re so grateful to have Nathan’s support as an ambassador,” Ms George said.
“We love his energy and enthusiasm he has towards this project and supporting Mary Potter. We’re positive he will create an impactful groundswell of support.
“The Walk for Love started in 1987 by one Hospice nurse, Sue Bardy, who ran 10km through the street of North Adelaide. In 30 years, look what it has grown into. One person can be all it takes to make a difference.”
Anyone who wants to be involved in the walk can contact Nathan via email. You can also donate to Pals for Palliative Care here.
Albert Centre kitchen passes the charity test
The commercial kitchen in Blackfriars’ newly opened Albert Centre has been put to the test – all for a good cause.
Want more news?
Keep up-to-date with all the happenings in and around Blackfriars on our socials.
