Sophie Pendleton and Sasha O’Leary selling raffle tickets to raise money for the first responders.
Jesse Wood meets two youngsters who say they took their social studies assessment a “bit far”.
First responders: from left Karl Tutty, Rob Chisholm, Kelly Bennetto, Sasha O’Leary, Sophie Pendleton, Kerin Roberts-Thomson, Felicity Cook-Jones and George Jensen at the first responders’ information evening.
Last year, Te Awamutu College students Sasha O’Leary and Sophie Pendleton had an urge to help the first responders in their community.
The 15-year-olds fundraised and donated to the Te Awamutu Volunteer Fire Brigade and St John Ambulance Te Awamutu.
Now the pair are preparing something special for Te Awamutu police as they don’t accept donations.
“We took our social studies assessment a bit far. We got inspired by it,” Sasha said.
“We had to go out into the community. We were given St John medics to do something for. We decided to expand to include the police department and fire station.
“It was very nice meeting them all, they were all very friendly people.”
Sasha and Sophie sold raffle tickets and organised a free first responders’ information evening at the Te Awamutu Library community room in December.
“We sold raffle tickets for three hampers. Two were provided by Pak ‘n Save Te Awamutu and one was voluntarily donated by the three groups of first responders,” Sophie said.
The information evening was open to everyone, to celebrate and learn more about their local first responders.
“The information they shared with us was very interesting. It was a cool experience all around,” Sasha said.
Volunteers from all three organisations gave their time to the event. The girls particularly enjoyed St John’s CPR demonstration.
“They were all very interactive with the kids. The CPR dummy demonstrations were fun to watch,” Sophie said. “They told us what they do, how long they’ve been doing it and we could ask questions.
‘The adults quite enjoyed it as well – my parents definitely did.”
After raising $344, in four days, the girls personally delivered the donations to the first responders crews.
“As a volunteer organisation we rely on community support to fund those extra things over and above our standard equipment,” Te Awamutu’s deputy chief fire officer Karl Tutty said.
“The timing of this donation is great, with our new response vehicle due to be unveiled in the near future it will go towards marking that occasion.
“While the donation is appreciated, the real thing that needs to be acknowledged is the efforts by these students to plan and host an evening supporting their local emergency services. Their efforts need to be commended.”
“We didn’t have a goal in mind. We just wanted to raise money, awareness and give the first responders publicity for hat they actually do,” Sophie said. “We wanted to raise a solid amount that would actually help contribute. The ladies at St John’s were very impressed and appreciative. They said the donation would be very useful towards a new defibrillator.”
Sasha and Sophie hope their actions inspire others. Every little bit helps to support the heroes who keep our communities safe.
Sophie Pendleton and Sasha O’Leary selling raffle tickets to raise money for the first responders.
