Greta Knowles is a good student, a young philanthropist and a cancer survivor.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
A pageant of fleece and flannels walked the halls of Tatura Primary School on Friday, July 4.
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Why?
Year 3 student Greta Knowles organised a fundraiser – a ‘PJ and Movie Day’ – to support the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, where she spent a fair amount of time during her battle with cancer.
At just four years old, Greta was diagnosed with leukaemia.
A few years later, she was fortunate enough to ring the hospital’s bell of remission.
Lauren and Bob Knowles with daughter Greta Knowles as she rings the remission bell at the Royal Children’s Hospital.
“It felt pretty good (to ring the bell), but I was going to miss it there,” she said.
“Everyone was really kind.”
This year, Greta was determined to pay it forward – literally.
The spark for the school fundraiser ignited when she began selling loom bands at recess, raising $0.10 and $0.20 per band.
Her entrepreneurial efforts caught the attention of acting principal Billy Barnes and assistant principal Tracey Ritchie, who met with her to expand on her brilliant idea.
They guided Greta in crafting a proposal to the school council.
She did so in style, decorating a purple card with bedazzling stickers and ensuring her handwriting was neat and legible.
“I expected a little handwritten letter, but she’s gone to Spotlight and got stickers, and you can tell she’s revised this letter a couple of times,” Mr Barnes said.
Greta’s letter to school council
Dear School Council, please can we have a PJ day?
But before you answer that, let me tell you a little bit about my past.
When I was four years old, a doctor discovered I was diagnosed with cancer so I was flown to The Royal Children’s Hospital and the doctors fixed me right up!
I can’t be thankful enough, that’s why we need a fundraiser to happen.
So with that, me and the JSC would like to make a PJ day with a gold coin donation to the RCH.
Yours truly,
Greta
With the help of the Junior School Council, Greta spearheaded the out-of-uniform day on the last day of Term 2, inviting all students to wear their pyjamas to school while contributing a gold coin donation.
An incredible $384 was raised for the Royal Children’s Hospital.
“I want to help sick kids. I don’t want them to die,” Greta said.
“In the olden days, when they had barely any medicine, lots of people died from cancer, and I don’t want that, so I’m going to raise money.”
Her advice for other children looking to make a difference?
“I’d say, what are you most grateful for? And then once they’ve answered that, I’d say, what about that do you want to help? How do you want to support?”
Junior School Council president Year 6 student Scarlett Mills and vice-president Year 6 student Kiah Gregory, with Year 3 student Greta Knowles (middle).
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
