STUDENTS, community members, and Western District Health Service (WDHS) staff have again joined forces to help raise over $52,000 for the Annual Hospital Door Knock Appeal, with funds raised going to the MRI for U&I Appeal.

The Door Knock commenced in May, with over 125 volunteers helping to ‘letter drop’ flyers in local postcodes, including 84 enthusiastic students from all year levels at The Hamilton and Alexandra College’s Laidlaw House.

Of the $52,000 raised, $31,000 came in thanks to the students, staff and volunteers, who pounded the pavements in Hamilton, while the balance came from Penshurst and Coleraine.

In a huge effort, the Laidlaw House students delivered flyers to over 40 Hamilton streets – covering a third of the town.

The Hamilton and Alexandra College’s Laidlaw House Captains, Charlie Keiller and Eliza Sobey, said the students felt proud to be able to help with the WDHS fundraiser.

“Each year as part of our House service we have to contribute to something around town and we chose the MRI for U&I Appeal,” Charlie said. 

“There were 84 students that went out and we covered a third of Hamilton.

“We just went in small groups and delivered to a few streets each to cover the ground quicker.

“(The flyer) was asking people to donate to the cause and we helped raise around $30,000 which was amazing to hear.”

The senior students led the groups around town with Year 12 student and Laidlaw House member, Marni Covill, saying she found the experience was a great way to get to know the younger students.

“Usually, we don’t integrate a whole lot because of the separate campuses so it was nice to go around and be able to get to know them a bit better,” she said.

“In my group I had a mix of different year levels and we all went around and went either side of the street handing out letters and putting them in people’s mailboxes.”

Year 8 student Finn Dennis is a boarder at The Hamilton and Alexandra College and said although he still calls Naracoorte home, he was honoured to help the Hamilton community raise funds for such an important piece of hospital equipment.

“Although I don’t live here myself, it still felt good,” he said.

“I thought it was really fun to go about the street and put the letters in.

“It felt nice to just do something for other people.”

WDHS chief executive, Rohan Fitzgerald, said the Door Knock volunteers had once again gone above and beyond to support the Appeal.

“The incredible volunteer support we receive each year is crucial to the success of the Door Knock,” he said.

“Without our volis (volunteers), we simply could not raise the funds we do for our hospital.

“A special mention to the students of Laidlaw House and to all of our volunteers who put their hands up to letter drop each year - rain, hail or shine.”

Mr Fitzgerald also thanked the many generous donors who supported the Door Knock this year and the Uebergang family for agreeing to be the ‘faces’ of the Appeal.

“It is a tremendous result to achieve $52,000, which is testament to our very generous and supportive community,” he said. 

“We are also very appreciative to Luke and Noah Uebergang for sharing their story about travelling long distances for MRI in support of our 2022 Door Knock.”

All funds raised are going towards the MRI for U&I campaign, which has now raised $1,138,000 for an MRI for the Hamilton Base Hospital.