Mercedes, Trinity College students pack in help for foster care children

MERCEDES and Trinity College students dedicated some of their summer holiday time helping to enhance the education of others.

Students collected donations which were used to buy essential school items including pencil cases, lunchboxes, drink bottles, backpacks and stationery to create 65 back to school packs for not-for-profit organisation MercyCare, which were distributed to children at a Kings Park event in January.

MercyCare schools liaison officer Louise Mason said the packs would help children in its fostering program and those living in its family group homes.

“What is so inspiring about the students involved in this project is that they have given up part of their own school holidays to help others; that is very admirable,” she said.

Trinity College student Nicholas Petagna said helping others had been a satisfying experience.

“Taking part in the project allowed me to reflect on my time in primary school when I was fortunate enough to have brand new stationery each year,” he said.

“It also made me realise how lucky I was as a child and how giving back now is a rewarding experience.”

MercyCare acting chief executive David Holden said the organisation had 65 children in its foster care program and family group homes.

“We try very hard to ensure that children in our care have everything they need to succeed at school,” he said.

“Giving them the tools to do this is just a small way of helping them to feel positive about going back to school and the year ahead.”