Knight Street Multi-Age Learning has raised $1500 for the Hunter Boyle Children's Swim Program from its kindergarten car washes held during summer.
Knight Street kindergarten teacher Shae Ballinger said the funds exceeded her expectations.
“Over such a short amount of time, it was amazing how everyone really supported it,” she said.
“We ended up overbooking with extras, with so many different people — and vehicles — getting on board: Harleys, Bobcats, even the police came past.”
The swimming program was created by Kidsafe Victoria and Hunter Boyle's family as a legacy to the two-year-old boy, who lost his life in a Grahamvale dam on August 12 last year.
All funds raised from the car washes will go towards the program, which will offer 12 months of swimming lessons and water safety education for vulnerable children in Shepparton.
Life Saving Victoria said 2021 would be "crucial" for swim safety, when Victorians with limited exposure to waterways and swimming services during COVID-19 lockdown headed back to the water — particularly young children.
Of the 34 drowning deaths and 100 non-fatal incidents in Victoria in the past financial year, children up to four accounted for 44 per cent of emergency department presentations.
Ms Ballinger said the kindergarten kids loved getting involved in the fundraiser, which they hoped to continue annually to keep alive Hunter's memory and highlight the importance of water safety.
“The children enjoyed scrubbing clean all the cars, race cars, trucks, motorbikes and diggers,” she said.
“They also loved their well-deserved Zooper Dooper at the end of the day.”
The cheque was gifted by the children to Hunter's mother, Ash Napolitano, who provided biscuits to the "excited" children.
“It is amazing what the foundation is doing for the community and we were proud to be part of the fundraising,” Ms Ballinger said.
“It was really good to be able to do something.”
A donation box at Knight Street will be available throughout the year to continue supporting the program.
Donations can also be made at https://www.givenow.com.au/crowdraiser/public/thehunterboylechildrensfoundation