A GROUP of students at Warrnambool Primary School have used their talents to help make a little boy’s dream come true.
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Family and friends of Warrnambool’s Julian Purcell are aiming to raise $25,000 for an assistant dog through the Dogs for Kids with Disabilities (DKD) program.
Two-year-old Julian has 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, a genetic disorder which results in the poor development of several body systems.
The DKD dog will help Julian cope with regular stays in hospital, visits to doctors and with his general well-being.
Teacher at Warrnambool Primary School John Pattison said the school’s social music group read an article in The Standard late last year about Julian’s quest for a DKD dog and wanted to help out.
He said the group hit the streets in the Christmas season, busking in the CBD, singing carols to appreciative shoppers.
The money raised from that and individual contributions from group members were matched by the school’s council to bring the amount donated to Julian to $720.
Grade five student Felix Buchanan, 10, said having the chance to help Julian was something the music group was very proud of.
“It makes me feel really happy when I get the chance to help someone else,” Felix said.
”Getting a dog would be really good for Julian, it would make things a lot easier for him. We all love music so it was good to use that to help Julian.”
Julian’s mother, Courtney Purcell, said the efforts of the students were overwhelming.
“I was so touched when John called and told me the students had decided they would like to fund-raise to help Julian get his dog,” Ms Purcell said.
“When I found out that some students had even donated their own pocket money, this bought me to tears.”
Ms Purcell said the $25,000 target is slowly being eroded with the total now up to $6366.
She thanked Warrnambool businesses for their support and also the Kiwanis Club of Warrnambool who have held a sausage sizzle fundraiser at Bunnings and have more activities planned.
“Everyone has been so supportive,” Ms Purcell said.
“It is heartwarming to know people care enough to help us, even people we don’t know who have been touched by Julian’s story.”
Some of the effect of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome include heart defects, poor muscle tone, blood complications and feeding and breathing issues.
Anyone wishing to donate to Julian’s crusade to get a DKD dog can do so by going online to https://www.gofundme.com/friend-for-life-assistant-dog
