OLQP exceeds expectations in t-shirt drive for Vanuatu

Students at OLQP are happy to donate t-shirts
Students at OLQP are more than happy to donate t-shirts for a good cause.

Year 5 teacher Melinda Parker from Our Lady of Queen Peace Primary (OLQP), Greystanes, has driven a charity incentive to assist the people of Vanuatu with t-shirts in the wake of Cyclone Pam.

As part of a charity called Givhans, Melinda worked with OLQP staff and students with an aim to collect 1000 t-shirts. Givhans usually collects donations of school supplies and ships them to schools and aid stations in Vanuatu, however, in the aftermath of Cyclone Pam, the schools' needs changed from books and pens to clothes and first aid supplies.

Melinda said the charity was doing a drive for t-shirts, new or second hand in good condition, in any size, colour and style.

‘Everyone has a spare t-shirt in their cupboard – so I put out a letter and aimed for 1000 t-shirts from the school community,’ said Melinda. ‘This worked out to only be 35 per classroom.’

The school managed to collect 4,687 t-shirts during the week and a prize was given to the class who collected the most t-shirts.

Written By

Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au

15 Aug 2025
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