We give thanks to two of our longer term exchange students, Miki Saito and Maon Sato (both now back in Akita), who have helped raise in excess of $5000 for those in need due to the recent Australian bushfires. They are sending half the funds to Sacred Heart and the other half to our Lady of Mercy in Heidelberg for distribution to appropriate charities to help the firefighters, people rebuilding as well as helping the rehabilitation of injured wildlife.

The students so greatly appreciated the care and hospitality that was extended to them when they were here that they initiated the fundraiser themselves, encouraging people at the Akita Station to donate.

We are very grateful to receive such a generous donation and look forward to sending the funds to needy charities as soon as possible.

Debbie Cameron-Davis, Languages Staff