A motivated group of ladies and the Toowoomba community (Southern QLD, Australia) have had a vision to truly make a difference in the world in the lives of the less fortunate. Over the past year they have been working tirelessly to raise money for The School of St Jude. The dedicated team of volunteers and the community was headed by Frances Holmes. The fundraising project has been a collective city effort which culminated in the "Embracing Africa" fundraising concert and raising an amazing $40,354.60.

Students performing at the concert

Frances Holmes (in red) with her dedicated team

"I am so motivated by the youth that come to me to say they are so committed to change the world, but they never thought they had what it took to make a difference," Ms Holmes said.

After looking at many worthy organizations, the team chose St Jude's to be the beneficiary of the fundraising efforts for this year.

An email prompted Frances to learn more about St Jude's. After more research, talking to different people through Rotary, watching Gemma on Australian Story, and reading Gemma's book, Frances and the team fell in love with St Jude's and the work the school is doing.

The team chose St Jude's because they loved the simple idea that the school was "fighting poverty through education" by helping the brightest of the poorest kids, whose destiny would have been to remain trapped in a cycle of inadequate education, illiteracy and poverty.

Frances Holmes with Sudanese students from St Saviour's College that performed in the concert; (from left) Anike Akello, Habiba Gwonyha, Irene Daniel and Martha Nunu.

Holmes and her committee got such schools as St Ursula's College, The Glennie School, St Saviour's College, Centenary Heights State High School, Harristown State High School, Fairholme College and Toowoomba State High School involved in the fundraising campaign.

The schools held art auctions, free dress days, theatre nights and other such activities to raise money and awareness for the cause.

Micaela Cash, a year 11 student from St Ursula's College says that the concert provides a great sense of unity for her peers. She also explains that the "Schools are always competing against one another, but this is all about showing that we can come together as one."

Toowoomba Combined High Schools uniting to raise money for St Jude's

The major part of their fundraising was the "Embracing Africa" concert in Toowoomba in September. The evening included musical entertainment showcasing combined Toowoomba schools, Ruby Slippers and friends, an art auction and supper.

The students from the schools that were allocated a 10 minute performance spot of either singing or dancing or playing instruments. The theme of the night was African.

Ms Holmes said it was important that they were giving the children in Tanzania "a 'hand up' and not just a 'handout'".

This is the second time these people have helped to make an enormous difference in the lives of the less fortunate. In 2007, the team’s efforts focused on The Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. They engaged the support of several local Secondary Schools and with their help as well as the support of many other local people and service organizations. They were able to raise $85,000.00 for the Hospital, thus giving healing and a future to hundreds of young Ethiopian girls who were suffering from the dreadful affliction of fistula.

After achieving this amazing feat, the team's dream continued. After last year's effort, they realised that it is possible to make a difference in the lives of the suffering in other parts of the world, just by having a heart and a willingness to do so. They found that the wonderful young school students who helped to raise funds last year, had the same vision and willingness to want to make a difference this year.

Ms Holmes also adds that what really got them over the line was "the help of our father in heaven." She explains that the event was not just about raising money, but raising awareness with the youth in the local secondary schools about stepping up to the challenge in helping our fellow brothers and sisters.

A motivated group of ladies and the Toowoomba community (Southern QLD, Australia) have had a vision to truly make a difference in the world in the lives of the less fortunate. Over the past year they have been working tirelessly to raise money for The School of St Jude. The dedicated team of volunteers and the community was headed by Frances Holmes. The fundraising project has been a collective city effort which culminated in the "Embracing Africa" fundraising concert and raising an amazing $40,354.60.

Students performing at the concert

Frances Holmes (in red) with her dedicated team

"I am so motivated by the youth that come to me to say they are so committed to change the world, but they never thought they had what it took to make a difference," Ms Holmes said.

After looking at many worthy organizations, the team chose St Jude's to be the beneficiary of the fundraising efforts for this year.

An email prompted Frances to learn more about St Jude's. After more research, talking to different people through Rotary, watching Gemma on Australian Story, and reading Gemma's book, Frances and the team fell in love with St Jude's and the work the school is doing.

The team chose St Jude's because they loved the simple idea that the school was "fighting poverty through education" by helping the brightest of the poorest kids, whose destiny would have been to remain trapped in a cycle of inadequate education, illiteracy and poverty.

Frances Holmes with Sudanese students from St Saviour's College that performed in the concert; (from left) Anike Akello, Habiba Gwonyha, Irene Daniel and Martha Nunu.

Holmes and her committee got such schools as St Ursula's College, The Glennie School, St Saviour's College, Centenary Heights State High School, Harristown State High School, Fairholme College and Toowoomba State High School involved in the fundraising campaign.

The schools held art auctions, free dress days, theatre nights and other such activities to raise money and awareness for the cause.

Micaela Cash, a year 11 student from St Ursula's College says that the concert provides a great sense of unity for her peers. She also explains that the "Schools are always competing against one another, but this is all about showing that we can come together as one."

Toowoomba Combined High Schools uniting to raise money for St Jude's

The major part of their fundraising was the "Embracing Africa" concert in Toowoomba in September. The evening included musical entertainment showcasing combined Toowoomba schools, Ruby Slippers and friends, an art auction and supper.

The students from the schools that were allocated a 10 minute performance spot of either singing or dancing or playing instruments. The theme of the night was African.

Ms Holmes said it was important that they were giving the children in Tanzania "a 'hand up' and not just a 'handout'".

This is the second time these people have helped to make an enormous difference in the lives of the less fortunate. In 2007, the team’s efforts focused on The Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. They engaged the support of several local Secondary Schools and with their help as well as the support of many other local people and service organizations. They were able to raise $85,000.00 for the Hospital, thus giving healing and a future to hundreds of young Ethiopian girls who were suffering from the dreadful affliction of fistula.

After achieving this amazing feat, the team's dream continued. After last year's effort, they realised that it is possible to make a difference in the lives of the suffering in other parts of the world, just by having a heart and a willingness to do so. They found that the wonderful young school students who helped to raise funds last year, had the same vision and willingness to want to make a difference this year.

Ms Holmes also adds that what really got them over the line was "the help of our father in heaven." She explains that the event was not just about raising money, but raising awareness with the youth in the local secondary schools about stepping up to the challenge in helping our fellow brothers and sisters.