Volunteers giving children a chance

Volunteers at Give A Child A Chance are making a tangible difference in the lives of children whose families are struggling to cover the cost of their education.

The organisation, which was taken on by a new management committee in 2017, is a partnership between the charity, parents and the community.

Parents or guardians of primary school-aged children pay a small amount each week to cover expenses such as swimming lessons, camps and excursions.

Give A Child A Chance assesses the child’s needs and pays for extras such as uniforms and technology needed for school.

For high school students, parents pay the school’s resource levy and the organisation takes care of the rest.

Give A Child A Chance supports families from 26 schools across the Redcliffe Peninsula, Deception Bay, Mango Hill and North Lakes – all within a 15km radius of the charity’s Margate base.

Demand has been growing 50 percent for the past three years.

In 2017, volunteers helped 89 children at a cost of $18,000. They are now helping 454 students with projections for up to 600 by the end of the year. The average cost per child is $309 per year.

Give A Child A Chance spokesman Bill Heraghty says they do “whatever it takes to keep that child in school”.

“The change in a child in a uniform is quite dramatic. The kids, they belong, they’re part of a team,” Bill says.

He says they follow a child’s progress each year, offering assistance for as long as it is needed.

Fellow volunteer Jenny Mifsud says: “We just want to make a difference, so these kids can break out of the poverty cycle”.

It’s a sentiment shared by colleague Beth Heraghty.

“Education is key to getting a job and opportunities,” she says.

The team of nine volunteers is looking for sponsors, and families to support.

To find out more, head to the Give A Child A Chance Margate Facebook page.