Junee schools rally behind Jeans for Genes

JUNEE students have pulled on their denim and dug deep for a cause close to home, raising more than $1000 to help give children living with genetic diseases and cancer a brighter future.

Local students and staff rallied behind the annual Jeans for Genes campaign this month, raising vital funds for medical research.

Among those getting behind the cause was St Joseph’s Primary School, which raised an impressive $590.80 during its fundraiser on Thursday, August 6.

The annual fundraiser coincided with the campaign’s Double Donation Day, with donations made matched by generous sponsors.

Image: St. Joseph’s Primary School, Junee

Image: St. Joseph’s Primary School, Junee

It was another stellar effort from the St Joseph’s community, falling just shy of the $636.06 raised by the school last year.

The cause holds a particularly special connection to St Joseph’s, with Year 6 student Archer Brady having previously been chosen as one of the national faces of the Jeans for Genes campaign.

Archer Brady (fourth from left) pictured with fellow classmates | Image: St. Joseph’s Primary School, Junee

Image: St. Joseph’s Primary School, Junee

Archer was just three weeks old when newborn heel-prick screening revealed he had cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition affecting the lungs and digestive system.

In 2023, he stepped into the national spotlight as one of the young faces of Jeans for Genes, sharing his story to help raise awareness and funding for research into genetic diseases.

Archer and his family have continued to support the cause and shine a light on the importance of medical research for children living with genetic conditions.

The fundraising continued across town the following day, when Junee High School students traded their uniforms for denim and backed the cause with a fundraiser of their own.

The school raised $430.70 on Friday, August 7, with students and staff making donations and supporting a cake stall.

Image: Junee High School

Image: Junee High School

Year 7 students also got into the spirit of the day with a mannequin challenge, striking a pose in their denim for a fun video shared by the school.

You can watch their mannequin challenge below.

Junee High thanked Mrs Geaghan and the school’s Student Representative Council for organising the fundraiser, as well as everyone who wore their jeans, donated or picked up a treat from the cake stall.

Together, the two Junee schools raised $1021.50 for the campaign.

Jeans for Genes supports scientists at the Children’s Medical Research Institute who are working to develop treatments and cures for childhood genetic diseases.

About one in 20 Australian children is born with a genetic disease or birth defect, the equivalent of one child in every classroom.

Money raised through the annual campaign helps keep laboratories running and research progressing, with the ultimate goal of transforming the lives of children and families affected by genetic disease.