St Joseph's Primary School hosts their annual winter appeal

The school's annual winter appeal raises funds for St Vincent de Paul each year to help those in need and this year, the total reached $475.

Students wore their pyjamas or clothes they would wear if they spent all day in the house on the lounge.

The student leadership group did a fantastic job at organising the event including school captain Poppi Cain who felt strongly about the cause.

"We want to help those who are not as fortunate as us so that they can have a better life," Poppi said.

The school gathers for a sleep over at Trinity Catholic College each year along with Sts Peter and Paul's Primary School, but were unable to this year due to COVID-19.

"Since we couldn't have our winter sleep over, we did this instead," school vice captain Cameron Schultz said.

"Normally, we'd sleep over at Trinity, but can only have soup and eat basics.

"We do that to put ourselves in their shoes and to try to understand what those not so fortunate are going through."

This year, 46 year 6 students volunteered as Mini Vinnies by helping with organising and carrying out fundraising tasks throughout the year to increase their awareness of servitude and helping others.

"To be a Mini Vinny, children need to be willing to give up their own time to serve and lead, and it is amazing to see so many who are willing to step up and generously give up their own time." St Joseph's religious coordinator Sasha Cady said.

The school's assistant principal Matthew Mullins was extremely proud of the effort put in to the organisation of the event by the students.

"We know there are many struggling during these tough times," Mr Mullins said.

"I truly appreciate the amount of effort our leaders have put into the cause."

Every student who went to school dressed out of uniform gave a gold coin donation.

"We collected buckets of donatable items as well," Mr Mullins said.

All the money raised on the day was donated to the local St Vincent de Paul.

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