$850K raised for young Aussies impacted by childhood cancer

Menchie Khairuddin September 5, 2024

3 min read

Redkite announces the two winners of the 2024 Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship: 16-year-old Victoria and 17-year-old Fergus.

Each year, Redkite, in partnership with Coles, provides young Australians diagnosed with cancer a ﬁnancial boost to help them achieve their future goals and aspirations.

Since 2013, Coles has raised over $850,000 towards the Scholarship that has helped young Aussies impacted by childhood cancer to chase their dreams beyond treatment.

Victoria has her sights set on the 2028 Paralympics in LA. Diagnosed with a pilocytic astrocytoma at just 3 years old, Victoria took up swimming as a form of therapy and has spent the last 8 years training to represent Australia alongside the world’s top para-swimmers.

Fergus was only one day into hiking the Kokoda trail when he began to feel unwell and had to trek back to a local hospital, where a CT scan revealed a medulloblastoma brain tumour the size of a tennis ball. With the tumour removed, 17-year-old Fergus is working hard on rehabilitation so he can start university next year and begin studying to become a vet.

For Victoria & Fergus, the scholarship will help support their journey toward achieving their dreams.

“Swimming helped me become more conﬁdent in my body. It doesn’t put me in a box where I cannot control circumstances relating to my health – it’s my discipline I am depending on,” said Victoria.

“I’ll go as far as I can, where my body can take me. With my health, it’s been hard to keep my eyes set on that dream, but I’m not going to give up just because I might get diagnosed with cancer again. I believe I can do it.”

Fergus, Winner of Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship highlighted that his ultimate goal is to work as a vet in Broome with crocodiles.

“I missed out on getting my ATAR because of treatments, so there are a few courses I need to complete to get there, but I can’t wait to get my independence back… from walking the Kokoda Trail again to just being able to grab a blanket for myself when I need it.”

Redkite and Coles have awarded 500 scholarships to young cancer patients and survivors since 2013, helping Aussie teens pursue their ambitions – from becoming a neurosurgeon to an electrician, chasing Olympics dreams, or even learning to play the piano.

This year’s applicants include aspirations for careers in healthcare, music, photography, science, sport and ﬁtness. Some also have lifestyle goals, such as educational tutoring, mental well-being and having access to new technology to facilitate learning. The variety of ‘dreams’ from applicants demonstrates the uniqueness of each child and why Redkite and Coles are committed to supporting their dreams.

Redkite Chief Executive Ofﬁcer, Monique Keighery, highlighted that when children receive a cancer diagnosis, their dreams and aspirations are often put on hold as they face the biggest challenge of their lives. This is why the Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship is so pivotal in helping realise that their dreams can still be achieved.

“The Scholarship supports young cancer patients and survivors who have faced signiﬁcant disruptions to their childhood and education.”

“Many have reluctantly delayed their dreams and aspirations due to illness and treatment and have been forced to reconsider their life plans and what might be possible in the future,” added Keighery.

Coles General Manager Corporate and Indigenous Affairs, Sally Fielke, who was on the panel of judges for the scholarship, said Coles is proud of its longstanding partnership with Redkite to support young Australians affected by childhood cancer.

“Coles is proud to support the Dare to Dream Scholarship program in partnership with Redkite for the 12th year in a row.”

“The quality of applicants continues to inspire the panel each year and this year was no different.”

“We’re delighted to award 10 worthy young Aussies with a scholarship and to provide them with the motivation to stay focused on their dreams.”

In addition to Fergus & Victoria, this year’s ﬁnalists and scholarship recipients include the following young Aussies: Benjamin, Jayden, Kai, Kyle, Larna, Oliver, Rosie and Summer.

Submissions are open every year to any Australian teenager (aged 13-18 years old) who has cancer or has had cancer at any point in their life.

Menchie Khairuddin

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Menchie Khairuddin is a writer Deputy Content Manager at Akolade and content producer for Third Sector News. She is passionate about social affairs specifically in mixed, multicultural heritage and not-for-profit organisations.