Telethon 2025 Beneficiaries: Florence Shanks inspires her friends at Peter Carnley Anglican Community School

Little Florence Shanks has long inspired those around her with the tenacity and good cheer she summons each day to fight a complex congenital heart condition.

When she was named as one of four Little Telethon Stars last year her school mates took that inspiration and resolved to work to raise money to help Florence and every other sick child that is touched by Telethon.

The junior school community at the Peter Carnley Anglican Community School, which has campuses at Wellard and Calista and which Florence attends, set off on a mission to read as many books as possible over four weeks.

Armed with a sheet of cardboard, the students were asked to log every book they read and every sponsor they had found.

Their important contribution also became part of something much bigger — the wonderful network of schools around the State whose students are committed each year to helping those less fortunate.

Year 6 student Isabella Suckling loves curling up with a book — particularly Erin Hunter’s Warriors series — and said she was driven to read more than usual because she was helping others through Telethon.

“It made me feel good,” she said.

Year 4 student Noah Weddikkara, who likes anything by David Walliams, and Joyce Mwenda, who is in Year 3 and into the Billie B Brown series by Sally Rippin, also said they felt good knowing they were helping other children.

Kierin Janes, the head of junior school, said children relating to other children was a big part of the Readathon’s success.

“It is important for children to develop empathy and this makes it very real,” she said.

“We are part of a global community and the children learn there are people beyond our gates who need assistance.”

It was also important that students did something that required effort to achieve their goals.

“The act of service is an important element of our Anglican identity,” Ms Janes said.

“Acts of service should also include an effort component so that the students can recognise that the effort of each individual is required in achieving something together.”