Henty Public School Year 4 students start CRAD t-shirt fundraiser to help homeless

Chayse Montgomery, 9, Ryan Klemke, 9, Ashton Scholz, 10, and Darcy Doughty, 10, have embarked on a heart-warming project to raise awareness and funds for a cause that’s become close to their hearts.

The Henty Public School students are creating t-shirts with the logo CRAD (the first initials of their names), which they will sell to support the work of Mission Australia.

The idea was born after several of the boys witnessed the squalor and sadness of those living on the streets during visits to Melbourne with their families.

Ryan saw people living under a bridge and couldn’t get the images out of his mind.

“We’ve got food, we’ve got a family and we’ve got love; these people have no home, they are in dirty clothes and can’t have a shower,” he said.

None of the boys can fathom not being able to have food, shelter or clean clothing and it sparked conversations in the playground that blossomed into an idea.

With the help of their proud mums they researched and found the appropriate charity in Mission Australia, which is dedicated to helping end homelessness.

The boys thought t-shirts would help add visibility to the homelessness issue and decided anyone who donates $100 or more to the cause will be listed on the back of the shirts.

Now the entire community is behind their efforts with a fish and chip fundraising night on Friday, July 27 at the Henty Community Club from 6pm expected to bolster the kitty.

Ashton’s parents Mel and Charlie Scholz, who run the new Henty Bakery, will supply food on the night.

The school, football club and fire station have all pledged dollars.

Mum Debbie Klemke said the boys came up with the ideas on their own and the support had been inspiring.

“These boys are teaching all of us a life lesson – to give back,” she said.

“The main message here is even though these boys are young, they have learnt they can really make a difference.”

Ms Klemke said Mission Australia had welcomed the boys’ enthusiasm and given them a “free rein”.

Donations to the CRAD Fundraising Event to Help the Homeless Facebook page will be taken until July 31 before t-shirt orders are placed.

Ms Klemke said the initial fundraising goal to purchase t-shirts was $3000 in the hope that would raise $8000 for Mission Australia.

The boys will each give a speech on Friday night; their hopes are simple – to give someone a roof over their head, a meal and shower.

Something they now know should not be taken for granted.