BCC's Rising Hope have not only made tremendous strides in their fundraising efforts but have been awarded the Bundaberg Cancer Council's 2024 Relay for Life school spirit award.

BCC Rising Hope Coordinator Mrs Lynne Howkins was thrilled with how the team united together:

"This year a team of 27 students and 7 staff participated in the annual QLD Cancer Council’s – Relay for Life – raising $11,071.

We might be the smallest high school – but the BCC Community has a huge heart, and we were the highest fundraising school team.

BCC has always named their team Rising HOPE – this incorporates reference to our RISE values, but also the key purpose of the team, to see HOPE rise, through service, support and most importantly prayer.

This year we took a HOPE board to relay and people participating noted the names of those who needed HOPE and pray, whilst also recording those they wanted to remember. It was so beautiful to see our young people praying for and with people throughout the event. We also remembered our dear Mrs List and relayed in honour of her memory and legacy of faith for us all.

Our team featured a faithful group of Year 12s along with a smattering of other year levels, with a strong contingent of Year 7s coming on board. What a lovely team to Relay with.

Our fundraising figure is testament to the generosity and servant heart of our BCC Community – special thanks to all those who made the mini relay a success and to the Gees family for their amazing contribution in fielding and running the movie night of “Unsung Hero”. Thanks to all the family and friends who just gave.

Special thanks to our staff who also participated and supervised - Mrs Gabrielle Cornelissen, Mrs Rachel Mathiesen, Mrs Kacee Baldwin, Mrs Elissa Vardy, Chappy Steve Taggart, Mrs Araluen Mitchell, Mrs Ruth Cahill and Mrs Emmie Raffaut. Thanks also to Mr Kit Howkins and Mr Brendan Hosking who were our set up and pull-down team members.

Being salt and light in our local community is a real part of servanthood and discipleship – BCC Rising Hope you have lived that. Thank you."

Mrs Lynne Howkins