Townsville students cooking up generosity for charity

Ryan Catholic College Year 10 students have been busy cooking up a plan to raise money for the Spinal Injuries Association.

The business enterprise students have spent five weeks creating a product to sell to other students, following the same process a business would.

Business education teacher, Lorraine Lawton, said the students put a lot of time into creating their product.

“After deciding on a product, the students developed a business and marketing plan and then determined pricing and selling costs to ensure a profit was made,” Lorraine said.

“It was all very realistic. They researched into the target markets and what the other school students wanted. Then they went from classroom to classroom promoting their product.”

The product, an Aussie Dog, comprising of bread, bacon, sauce, cheese and sausage, was sold during a trade day, catering to the senior campus of 1,500 students.

The students then brainstormed and nominated charities to donate the profits to and the Spinal Injuries Association was one of those chosen, with $250 generously contributed towards the not-for-profit organisation.

“One student, who was the driving force behind the venture, had a very close friend suffer a spinal injury earlier this year so he nominated the Association,” Lorraine said.

“The students then voted and the Spinal Injuries Association was picked. I think it really hit home hard with a lot of students, after knowing someone who has incurred a spinal injury.”

Spinal Injuries Association CEO Mark Henley applauded the students at Ryan Catholic College for their contribution.

“Every donation helps. These students are at that time in their lives where they are at the highest risk of a spinal cord injury. To see them recognise this and support not only the Association, but also their friend who recently incurred an injury, is really fantastic,” Mark said.

The Spinal Injuries Association is a charity that was established in 1960 and is dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with spinal cord injury. For more information, please visit www.spinal.com.au.

Issued 7 October.