Sir Wilfrid Laurier students raising money for London Abused Women's Centre
For the second year in a row, students from Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School are taking part in the 14th annual “Shine the Light on Woman Abuse" campaign.
Last year, the small committee of students was able to raise $300 thanks to cookies baked by grade 10 student Aleeza Sherazi.
“We're doing this in awareness of women’s abuse and we're trying to educate more people on the topic because it goes around, and it just really needs to be talked about,” said Sherazi.
The group is hoping to surpass its goal this year by creating Shine the Light buttons, with all proceeds going toward the London Abused Women’s Centre.
"I don't even know these women, but it makes me so happy to know that I’m able to make an impact on their lives and help them escape relationships and things that normally they can't get out of,” said grade 10 student Lily Stoppard.
Not only have these students successfully raised funds but they are also raising awareness among their peers.
"They've brought language into the school like partner violence, domestic abuse, men’s abuse against women, dating violence, they've got statistics up, they're sharing it with the community, they really want to make a difference," said Vicky Gough, communications technology teacher at Sir Wilfrid Laurier.
The committee hopes to inspire other community members and other schools to join the campaign and spread awareness.
"I know a lot of family members that don't even know this is a campaign or that this is going on… so maybe when they see younger students doing it, they'll get inspired," said grade 12 student Zeina Hassoun.
Students from Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School taking part in the 14th annual “Shine the Light on Woman Abuse" campaign. Nov. 15, 2023. (Reta Ismail/CTV News London)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Nanaimo Indian Hospital survivor heals inner child decades after abuse
For decades, Melven Jones couldn’t talk about what happened to him as a child. He didn’t even remember it.
Trudeau says Hezbollah leader caused 'immense suffering,' calls for ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon
Lebanon's Hezbollah group confirmed on Saturday that its leader and one of its founders, Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut the previous day
'I think he needs to go serve a few more meals': Ottawa Mission CEO fires back at Ford encampment comments
The CEO of the Ottawa Mission is responding to controversial comments made this week by Premier Doug Ford about those living in homeless encampments that received swift blowback from advocates.
At least 56 dead and millions without power after Helene's deadly march across U.S. southeast
Massive rains from powerful Hurricane Helene left people stranded, without shelter and awaiting rescue Saturday, as the cleanup began from a tempest that killed at least 56 people, caused widespread destruction across the U.S. Southeast and left millions without power.
Canada announces $10 million for humanitarian assistance in Lebanon
Canada is contributing $10 million for humanitarian assistance for civilians in Lebanon amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Why Will Ferrell wanted a doc about his friendship with a trans woman to release before the U.S. election
Will Ferrell said in an interview with Variety that it was important for him to release his documentary, 'Will and Harper,' before the U.S. election so people could have conversations about trans people.
They hit it off on vacation but then he went silent. So she decided to pick up the phone
When a few weeks passed and Nana Prempeh still hadn’t heard from the guy she met on vacation, she turned to her friends for advice.
Tentative agreement reached to end Vancouver grain terminal workers' strike
A strike by grain terminal workers at the Port of Metro Vancouver has ended, their employer announced Friday night.
SpaceX launches rescue mission for 2 NASA astronauts who are stuck in space until next year
SpaceX launched a rescue mission for the two stuck astronauts at the International Space Station on Saturday, sending up a downsized crew to bring them home but not until next year.