Archive for March 28th, 2008

Students living at the University of New England’s Earle Page College have begun their annual program of fund-raising activities that, last year, raised $30,000 for the Children’s Medical Research Institute. Now in its 29th year, the Earle Page College charity campaign includes the sale of a discount card sponsored by 41 local businesses. Purchasers of the $10 card can get ongoing discounts of up to 15 per cent – or a range of special deals – from participating businesses until the end of November.

The Vice-Chancellor of UNE, Professor Alan Pettigrew, bought one of the discount cards this week when he officially launched this year’s campaign. Professor Pettigrew, the campaign’s Patron, said he was “very happy to support it for the third year in succession”. “The students’ involvement in raising funds for a worthwhile charity adds to their own lives as well as the reputation of the University,” he said. “It is one of the highlights of their time at Earle Page College.”

While the campaign has already raised about $13,000 this year through donations and the sale of the discount card to students, its official launch marks the beginning of a series of fund-raising events – including a fashion parade and a charity auction – culminating in September in the annual Armidale to Coffs Harbour Coast Run which gives the entire campaign its name. The organisers of the Coast Run are inviting UNE staff members to contribute to the campaign by buying one of the discount cards.

The fashion parade, at Armidale Ex-Services Memorial Club on Saturday 3 May, will involve about 80 students and staff members as models, and will draw its audience from the general community as well as the University. The auction, at Earle Page College on Saturday 16 August, will offer a wide range of goods (including sports memorabilia) and services donated by local businesses. One of the items for auction will be “drinks at Trevenna” (the Vice-Chancellor’s residence) in November, hosted by Professor Pettigrew and his wife Ann.

Peter Bedford, one of the seven members of the Coast Run organising committee, said the aim of the campaign was “to give the Children’s Medical Research Institute all the help we can”. “Personally,” he said, “spending time on this is one of the most valuable things I could do as a resident of Earle Page College. It’s an Earle Page tradition – and it’s a worthy cause.”

THE PHOTOGRAPH displayed here shows Professor Pettigrew buying a discount card from the Coast Run Convener, Kamal Sohi. It expands to include another member of the organising committee, Ben Bowman.