A team of passionate local youth are about to embark on the trip of a lifetime to take on the world at the FIRST LEGO® League Championships in South Africa.
“The competition is for kids to solve problems using robotics and innovation,” Abi Degen (14) said. “Our team, Brick Rolled, competed against 140 teams at regionals, came out on top and then placed in the top four at nationals – earning us a spot on the world stage!”
Abi, and her brother Jack (12), along with their Brick Rolled team members, have created a project called the Sea Change Recycling Centre – inspired by Containers for Change.
“It tackles ghost fishing and marine pollution in Moreton Bay,” Abi said. “We’ve come up with an idea to help stop lost fishing gear from harming marine life.”
Fundraising for the Journey: 50,000 Cans or $5000 for Cape Town
“We knew it would be expensive to get to Africa,” Jack said. “So, Mum and Dad threw us a challenge to try to raise the funds on our own.”
“We came up with ‘50,000 Cans or $5000 for Cape Town’ to help cover our expenses,” Abi said. “We really hope we can achieve it.”
In addition to helping them meet their goal, their efforts are encouraging others to recycle and teaching Abi and Jack some important life lessons.
“I’m improving my public speaking skills and learning how to interact with older community members,” Abi said. “It’s so nice to see that they want to help and are proud of us.”
After having the opportunity to present their fundraising idea to the Bracken Ridge Lions, they were met with overwhelming support.
“We were very nervous, but we got up there and did it,” Abi said. “Both Jack and I were shocked when the acting president presented us with a donation equivalent to 3000 cans!”
“My mum asked me to write a thank you email to the Lions and it was the first time I had done something like that,” Jack said. “This process is teaching me how to reach out to the community and be brave enough to approach people.”
“We can’t wait to go back to another Lions’ meeting at the end of the competition and tell them all about it,” Abi said.””We feel like they’re part of our team now!”
To help Abi and Jack reach their goal, donations can be made to the Containers for Change depot under Scheme ID C10220752, or contact Heidi on 0411 457 748 to arrange a pick up anywhere in 4017.
“The cut-off date is Thursday, 1 May, so we can get the last cans through the depot before we leave,” Abi said.””We’re really looking forward to going on this exciting adventure!”
Read more stories from the Sandgate Guide print magazine here:
- The Hidden Cost Of Digital Distraction
- Manage Your Passwords Effectively
- They Also Serve…
- Noisy Visitors From The North
- Art An Easter Sweet Treat
- Childhood Friends Skip To Glory At World Jump Rope Championships
- Share The Dignity Toasts 10 Years Of Impact And Gratitude
- Drainage Funding Top Of Wish List For Deagon Ward
- Alfred No Match For Bayside Spirit
- Local Author To Release Two Hilarious New Children’s Books
- How You Can Help The Environment
- Meet Australia’s Wildest Stars
- Syd Signals Start Of Anzac Day
- Celebrating 25 Years Of Artrageous Creativity And Community
- King Of Atlantis Rev Up For Charity Ride
- Shoes, Books And Breakfast Initiative To Support Local Kids
- Organic Gardening In April
- Choose Bob At Brisbane Comedy Festival
- Things To Do Around Sandgate For Easter
Featured image: The Sandgate Recycling contact in photo was Nick Appleton, Lions Representative was John Twartz and the kids are Abigail Degen and Jack Degen
