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Stationary spinners chasing big bucks…on a catch-and-donate basis

The leadership students from Sooke's Edward Milne community school will be raising funds for Cops for Cancer in three separate events.
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Kaarina Swinburnson

What has two wheels, 10 legs and 12 hours in motion? Why, a group of EMCS Leadership course spinners, of course

And what might the Leadership spinners be chasing on those stationary bikes? To raise money for Cops for Cancer. Of course.

Teacher Colin Scott-Moncrieff and Leadership student Kaarina Swinburnson, took time out of their lunch-hour to provide the details of their fundraising efforts.

As Scott-Moncrieff explained, “we have three events that we have to try and support Cops for Cancer, all of them run through the Leadership class.”

It is run by the students, and his role is to act as a support resource.

This year, the three events are a bottle drive, a car wash, and a Spin-a-thon.

First on the calendar are the bottle drive and car wash, which will be happening September 21. The bottle drive is spear-headed by Leadership student Jade Lothrop. Any returnable bottles can be dropped off at the west parking lot at EMCS anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Simultaneously, there will also be a car wash at the A&W parking lot, which runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., also on September 21. The car-wash is being organized by Kaarina Swinburnson. Currently in Grade 12, Swinburnson has participated in the Leadership course since Grade 10.

In correspondence, Swinburnson noted that there would be about 40 kids involved in the car wash, and while there won’t be one particular key moment of the day, she does slyly add that “the final money count is one of the highlights.” All proceeds will be going towards Cops for Cancer.

In other words, if the exterior of your car gets really dirty while transporting your returnables to EMCS, you may as well get your car washed as well.

Students will wash your car by donation, with a suggested minimum donation of $5. The third event, the Spin-a-thon, will take place at EMCS on Thursday, September 26. Leadership students will form into teams of five or six, and these teams will spin (in shifts) for 12 hours straight, starting at 7 a.m.

Leadership students will be fundraising for the Spin-a-thon over the next week, as they need to raise a certain amount of money in order to enter a spinning team. Scott-Moncrieff is anticipating that each rider brings in $100 in sponsorship donations.

Stationary bicycles are being donated by Sooke Health and Fitness. When asked by the Sooke News Mirror why they are donating the bikes, club manager Rachel Dyer said, “Because it is for a good cause, and it’s helps the community.”

Deeply appreciative, Scott-Moncrieff said, “It would flop without them.”

In total, the Leadership group is hoping to raise upwards to $5,000 for Cops for Cancer through all three campaigns.

According to the EMCS course description, the Leadership course “is designed to give students an awareness of social and civic responsibility along with an understanding of effective styles and methods. It is run outside the timetable throughout the year, including before school meetings, and will involve volunteer activities. Considerable emphasis is on individual project work. This is a tremendous opportunity for students who want to contribute to the life of the school and community.”

The Leadership course is available to students in Grades 10, 11 and 12. This year, according to Scott-Moncrieff, there are 85 students enrolled in the Leadership course. It runs on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, starting at 7:30 a.m., so the students have a level of commitment from the beginning.

The course is being taught by two teachers, Colin Scott-Moncrieff and Todd Powell.