Waiouru School beats own famine record

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 685, 6 May 1997, Page 4

Waiouru School beats own famine record

Students from Year 4 to Year 8 at Waiouru Primary School recently participated in the 40-hour famine and

raised $1358 for World Vision, three times more than last year's total. Permitted only one bar-

ley sugar and a drink of juice every 30 minutes, the younger children soon found themselves ruled by the clock as they waited for sustenance. The 40-hour time frame was also reduced to 20 hours for the younger children and that proved long enough for most. Bradley Ayers said the hardest part was "the last four hours when everyone was having lunch at the Scout Den working party." The fund-raising was very successful although it did not achieve the $2000 target arbitrarily set by the teachers. All donations by the community for the children were gratefully received by World Vision. Three children deserve a special mention for their contributions: Wikitoria Campbell achieved the amazing total of $95.95 by going down the main street in Waiouru and targeting all the shops and businesses. It seems people were only

too happy to support the child of a fellow business family. Bradley Ayers raised $74.50, by doorknocking along Weir Terrace and Charisse Cooper raised $22.00. Activities to help the children get through the long hours of non-eating were held at the school during the weekend of the 40-hour famine. Many children es-

caped there during mealtimes to avoid temptation. One child, Tama Hipango, used it as a refuge from his own birthday party which was to start after he finished his 20 hours of fasting. The occasion was particularly hard for him as his twin brother apparently had no reservations about tastetesting the party food ahead of time!