2022 marked the 20th edition of Write a Book in a Day – and it was our biggest year ever! Not only were there more writers than ever before, but we also smashed our fundraising record. A huge thank you to everyone who took part and made this year such an overwhelming success!
In total, our 11,494 incredible story-makers from across Australia raised a whopping $793,025! This incredible amount of money will go directly to The Kids’ Cancer Project, helping to fund vital scientific research into kinder and more effective treatments for kids’ cancers.
From sci-fi adventures to teenage love stories, the talent and creativity on display were incredibly impressive and far-reaching. The books will be distributed to children’s hospitals around Australia, bringing a very welcome distraction from treatment and a sense of comfort to kids fighting cancer.
CEO of The Kids’ Cancer Project, Owen Finegan, said:
“It’s our mission to reach a 100 percent survival rate for kids’ cancer, but we can only reach that goal with the support of our amazing fundraisers – people like the thousands of Write a Book in a Day participants. “A massive thank you to all the writers, team coordinators, and sponsors involved this year. Your book will bring great joy to children and families going through an incredibly difficult time.”
There were prizes on offer for the top individual and team fundraisers, as well as a random prize draw for all teams that raised over $500. Each winner took home a JB Hi-Fi voucher worth up to $1,000.
Top Individual Fundraisers
1st – Peter S. from Barker College, NSW: $4,800
2nd – Lachlan M. from St Catherine’s/Cranbrook, NSW: $4,625
3rd – Ava M. from St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School, QLD: $3,475
Top Team Fundraisers
1st – Barker Team 6, Barker College, NSW: $6,635
2nd – Arden Junior, Arden Anglican Junior School, NSW: $5,732
3rd – STC/CR Group 12, St Catherine’s/ Cranbrook, NSW: $5,565
“I loved Write a Book in a Day because I got to combine my love of writing with such an amazing cause that I felt quite passionate about! Being able to give these children a fun book to read while going through such a hard time in their lives gives me joy − I’m glad that I gave them a bit of happiness.”
Prize Draw Winner
Wordsmiths Team 1 from The Springfield Anglican College, QLD: $1,488
Featured fundraising story
Talking about the amazing initiative the students took when fundraising, Team Coordinator and St Catherine’s School Teacher, Nicole Jones, said:
“I don't think I anticipated the combined power of the two schools. The boys from Cranbrook were tasked with creating their own campaigns within their community to raise money and awareness, and what an amazing job they did! The girls from St Catherine's were busily asking everyone they knew to donate and show support. “When the students finally met on the day and introduced themselves to their team, it was heart-warming to witness the positive energy within our space. The amount of buzzing that took place while they worked in their teams was felt by everyone. “What an amazing charitable project that brings communities together in support of children suffering from cancer.”
As part of their creative fundraising efforts, the schools produced a brilliant video about this year’s competition and why they’re proud to be taking part.
A message from The Kids’ Cancer Project’s Founder, Col Reynolds
“Every year I’m blown away by the creativity, passion, and dedicated fundraising of everyone who takes part in Write a Book in a Day.
I can’t express how inspired I am that so many thousands of young people want to see a day where every single kid with cancer is cured, just like I do. It’s truly heart-warming.
The money you’ve raised by writing your fantastic books is vital to helping achieve that – it will help to fund the very best scientific research projects around Australia. Thank you!"
