Annual breakfast raises more than $27,500 for school chaplaincy programs

More than $27,500 was raised for state school chaplaincy programs across Redlands Coast at the 19th annual Redland City Mayoral Prayer Breakfast.

Mayor Karen Williams said today’s event at the Alexandra Hills Conference Centre brought the amount raised since 2015 to nearly $150,000.

“This year’s fundraising was an excellent result given the reduced numbers able to attend, for the second year in a row, due to COVID-safe requirements,” she said.

“All the money we raise through these breakfasts helps fund our wonderful chaplains, who now work in 83 per cent of state schools across Redlands Coast, so it is money very well spent.”

The event included the announcement of the recipient of the annual Pastor Glen Gray Award.

“This award recognises an outstanding school chaplain who has demonstrated significant social, emotional and spiritual support to students, parents and school employees,” Cr Williams said.

“It was established last year in honour of the late Pastor Gray, who was the driving force behind the inception of the Mayoral Prayer Breakfast and who did so much great work in our community.

“This year’s worthy recipient is Terry Keen, who is the chaplain at Alexandra Hills State School.”

Among the 175 breakfast attendees were sponsors, school principals, students and chaplains, church leaders, state and local government representatives, business people and community members.

Guest speaker was Ruth Limkin, founding CEO of the Banyans Healthcare Group, a Non-Executive Director of Bible Society Australia and a former board member of Scripture Union Queensland.

Cr Williams thanked all those who supported the event, including members of the organising committee: Ken Mihill, Pastor Neale Collier, Alan Lucas and Alison Kingdom.

Event sponsors and supporters included:

Diamond sponsor

Platinum sponsor

Silver sponsor

Bronze sponsors

Event supporters