Baskets Made With Love

July 24th, 2008 - Media Statement

Last month, Hawker Park Primary School children were rewarded for their hard work making hanging baskets for a Mother's Day raffle which raised funds for WA's only dedicated melanoma research centre.

The founder of the Nedlands-based Scott Kirkbride Melanoma Research Centre, visited year one and three students at the Warwick school on June 16 to thank them for the $260 donated to the Centre.

In May the children spent time and effort making hanging baskets which they raffled for Mother's Day as well as selling on a stall to raise funds for the Centre.

The Centre, based at the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) in Nedlands, was established in March 2005 in memory of Scott Kirkbride, a young Mt Claremont man who died from melanoma at the age of 27.

Scott's mother, Yvonne Kirkbride said she was delighted to see young children taking notice of the sun-smart messages and dedicating their time to help others.

"It's just amazing to see young children getting involved in fundraising and the hard work they put into making and selling the baskets for our Centre is fabulous - we're really grateful to have their support," she said.

"Initiatives like this are a fantastic opportunity for children to learn about important causes, and melanoma is a very important one because it affects so many young people - I hope this will set the children up with a life-long sun-smart message as well as a relationship with our Centre."

"A big thanks goes out to Mrs Lois Watts, the year three teacher who coordinated the children's efforts."

Mrs Watts said the children were all enthusiastic about making the baskets for the Centre and were proud to be a part of a larger community cause.

"The kids have taken a lot of pride in their efforts and loved the whole process of making and selling their baskets," she said.

"Yvonne's visit to our classrooms was also a highlight for them - they are still wearing the hats they were given, even though some may have to grow into them!"

For more information please contact:
Sarah Hayward
Media Consultant for the WA Institute for Medical Research
Mobile: 0411 404 415
Office: (08) 9388 9280