Rafting TAFE students to help the Hospital

On Sunday, 3 November 2002, TAFE students from all around Sydney will be getting behind a special Raft-a-thon to raise money for the Hospital. This annual event has been running for five years and has expanded from its origins at Miller TAFE to include 23 metropolitan TAFE colleges which are all now involved in raising money for this event.

The students will be travelling along the picturesque Georges River, kicking off at Horse Rock Point, Georges River Bridge at Belgrave Street in Sylvania. The group will then paddle along the river stopping on the way at locations such as Oatley, Lugarno, Revesby Heights, Picnic Point and Georges Hall before coming to rest a staggering 32 kilometres later at Angle Park in Chipping Norton.

The boat was specially made by Mt Druitt TAFE sheetmetal students approximately 20 years ago and has been used very successfully as a vehicle to raise money for various charities ever since.

The Raft-a-thon is well supported by local businesses that are approached by the Student Associations from all TAFE campuses. Last year's event was successful in raising around $7,000 for The Children's Hospital at Westmead which was used to purchase a special camera for the Photography Department to assist in compiling medical records and reports.

So get behind this special event by donating money or encouraging the crew along the Georges River on Sunday. Bandaged Bear will be special guest for the lunchtime stopover to happen at Monash Reserve, Henry Lawson Drive, East Hills at around 11.30am to 12.30pm.

For further information regarding the TAFE Raft-a-thon please contact Shane Jobberns at Miller TAFE by telephoning (02) 9607 1445 or Tanya Meldrum at The Children's Hospital at Westmead by telephoning (02) 9845 3469.

For further information, please contact:

Julie Stromborg
Public Relations
Ph: (02) 9845 3580
Email: julies5@chw.edu.au