Loreto’s bid to help students impacted by COVID

THE Loreto College Student Hardship Fund has launched to support the school’s families currently facing financial difficulties.

All money raised by the initiative will go towards school fees, uniform needs and to help with extra-curricular activities for students feeling the negative impacts of COVID-19.

This year, The Loreto College Student Hardship Fund will take the place of the school’s usual annual Giving Fundraiser.

“Our marketing and development office decided that it was not a time to ask our school for funds, but to establish a fund that supported our students instead, especially those facing some hardship,” said Loreto’s Director of Marketing and Development, Judy-Ann Quilliam.

With COVID-19 disrupting not only school life, but also limiting families’ income and increasing living expenses, the school opted to support those affected.

“Now that families know we have this fund, hopefully it will encourage them to come forward if they need support,” said Ms Quilliam.

“Families know they can contact the school at any time if there’s anything they need.”

Donations are currently being collected through the College’s website but due to the nature of the fund, they are not currently tax-deductible.

However, this hasn’t stopped people from donating.

“We’ve had a lot of past pupils and current families who may not have previously supported funds, donate specifically to this one. It’s clearly affected a lot of people.

“Everybody has helped and done what they had to, whether it’s teachers supporting the continuation of education, families supporting students to keep them going or the students themselves.”