A nine-year-old has taken it upon himself to organise a community fundraiser in hopes raising up to $1500 to purchase much-needed sport equipment for his North Perth primary school.
Kyilla Primary School’s Oscar Archibald has spent the past few weeks organising and promoting a school-based silent auction to raise money for brand new sports gear.
The money raised, he says, would cover the cost of equipment including cricket stumps, soccer balls, skipping ropes and hula hoops for use atrecess and lunch.
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READ NOW“We don’t have enough variety and some of (the equipment) is old and broken or gets stolen or lost,” the North Perth resident said.
“We argue over using the new stuff ... and when it’s hot or raining, we have nothing to do as we normally have to sit in the undercover area.
“I really want to create more space to use at lunch for play or create safe spaces for those who need time alone or want to read.
“I also want to get stuff to make school the best place to be, like games and more books.”
Since getting the green light from the school’s P&C, staff and classmates, Oscar — with the help of his best friend Sammy Rohr — has spent countless hours brainstorming, selling raffle tickets and designing artwork.
“My friends helped me with putting together lists (of the sport equipment) we want,” Oscar said.
“They’re helping me sell tickets, do artwork and my best mate Sammy came and helped me purchase and decide on the sports gear.”
Whilst a date for the silent auction is yet to be confirmed, Oscar has been busy contacting local businesses — including Optus, West Coast Fever and Crown — to garner support for the project.
Thanks to a $500 donation from Optus, Oscar was able to buy about 40 pieces of sport equipment, including netballs, cricket bats and soccer balls, to kick-start his project.
“Oscar reached out through one of our employees, and he was very proud and passionate about the project he had put together and wanting to make the school a better place for the kids to play,” Optus WA general manager Paul O’Neill said.
“I had the pleasure of accompanying Oscar and his family to purchase some sporting equipment and saw first-hand the excitement and impact it will have on him and the students.
“(He’s) creating a legacy for himself and I like the idea that he’s looking well beyond himself, it’s very much around school kids and inclusion.
“This kid has a bright future and I just imagine the next generation of kids coming through will still be playing with sports equipment thanks to Oscar.”
But Oscar’s project is far from over.
Now that Term 2 has started, Oscar is spending most of his mornings selling raffle tickets before the school siren sounds.
“The donation from Optus was so generous and meant a lot to the school,” he said.
“I just want school to be fun and safe for everyone ... I love sport and lunch time and don’t like to argue with my friends over silly things like not having enough cricket bats.”