INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

The Riverina Anglican College Runs for A-T

This term as part of a student CAS project for the International Baccalaureate, the College community will be hosting a colour run in support of the BrAsh-AT foundation and the local Millar family. Ataxia-telangiectasia, or “A-T,” as it is known, is a progressive, degenerative disease that affects a startling variety of body systems and there is currently no cure or treatments. 

About BrAshA-T

So what is it like to have A-T? The onset of Ataxia leads to the degeneration of the brain. By primary school age, children with A-T lose their ability to write and their speech becomes slower and slurred. By the age of 10, children will most likely be confined to a wheelchair due to a lack of muscle control. 

70% of children with A-T experience immunodeficiencies that contribute to recurrent respiratory infections. In many cases, these infections become life threatening. For these children, their immunodeficiencies disable them to socialise with other children as it heightens their risk of contracting an infection. Additionally, lymphoma and leukemia are common types of cancer that are diagnosed.

The BrAsh-AT foundation is an Australian organisation that aims to fund research into this condition, raise awareness, and provide support from fundraising to families living with A-T. Two of the 40 children who suffer from A-T in Australia live in Wagga Wagga and their names are Charlie and Zara Millar. 

Supporting BrAshA-T

Here at the Riverina Anglican College, we want to help Charlie and Zara’s family.  This local family would really appreciate our help. So how can students get involved? All students in Years 7-10 are invited to come on their regular sport day, with a white shirt and a gold coin,  ready to participate in a colour run. 

Year 7 and Year 8 will participate in the colour run in their sport time in Week 4. For Year 7 that will be Tuesday 3rd November and for Year 8 that will be Wednesday 4th November.  

The following week, in Week 5, Years 9 and 10 will participate during their sport times on Thursday 12th November for Year 9, and Friday 13th November for Year 10.  

On their allocated Colour Run day, students will come to school in their PE uniform as usual but will need to bring a white shirt, some old shorts and gold coin in order to take part. Students are given time at the end of their colour run to get changed back into your College PE uniform. 

There’s one more way College families can help us raise funds: The BrAsh-AT foundation has designed and provided purple AT socks which are being sold $10 a pair. If you would like to purchase a pair of wonderful socks, from Holly, Judd, Anna, William or Lucy for $10 a pair out the front of Mr Howard's office at recess or lunch. 

Thank you in advance for participating in this worthy cause! We’re looking forward to having some great fun while raising funds for this important cause. 

The Riverina Anglican College Runs for A-T - Colour Run Dates

Year 7 - Tuesday 3 November

Year 8 - Wednesday 4 November

Year 9 - Thursday 12 November

Year 10 - Friday 13 November

Written by Holly Wilson, Judd McLeod, Anna Falepau, William Meiklejohn, and Lucy McKelvie-Hill

 | Year 11 IB CAS students

Patricia Humble

| Head of International Baccalaureate