Buchan School students raised ?1,048 last Friday for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Northern Ireland and Isle of Man in an effort organised by Olivia Hollreiser, aged 11, in her final year at The Buchan primary school.

More than 200 students participated in fundraising activities throughout the day, which included a rose sale with the assistance of Signature at Robinsons and a ‘Big Bounce’ competition in which children were given the opportunity to pay ?1 to compete in a series of space hopper races. The Big Bounce is a competition designed to show how a similar form of physiotherapy can help children who suffer with cystic fibrosis improve their breathing.  Winners of the competition were awarded their own space hopper. 

Buchan students also participated in a non-uniform day. Boys were asked to wear a blue ensemble to symbolise breath while the girls wore floral or rose print clothing. “65 Roses” is an international nickname for cystic fibrosis designed to help young children who have difficulty pronouncing the word.

Olivia explained she was inspired to organise the “65 Roses Day” fundraiser by her 11-year-old friend Jennifer Dunlea, who suffers from the recessive genetic disorder.  “I wanted to do something to support my friend, Jen Dunlea. Jen is fun, smart, pretty and really strong despite living with cystic fibrosis, an illness that sometimes makes things really hard for her. I am very happy we raised so much money to help children like Jen.”

Mrs Hedley, Headteacher at The Buchan School also commented: “Olivia has inspired the whole of the Buchan community with her enthusiasm and passion to support this charity.  We all very much appreciated hearing the story of Olivia’s friend who has cystic fibrosis and her rallying call of how any money raised could help this great cause.  The day was a wonderful blend of pupils having fun whilst competing on space hoppers in their P.E. lesson before ending the day by giving their parents a rose.   I am absolutely delighted that, as a school, we can respond in such a positive way to pupils who are so eager to care for others.”

The Buchan’s fundraising event coincided with National CF Week in the UK, which continues through to 30th June.  For more information or to find out more about the ‘Big Bounce’ therapeutic treatment, visit https://www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk/get-involved.aspx.