Write a Book in a Day was a resounding success for The Kids’ Cancer Project in 2024, raising a record $930,000 for kids’ cancer research, which will provide 115 children with access to new treatments through clinical trials.
South Australia’s Brighton Secondary School had the most teams with 31, while every single Primary division prize up for grabs in Queensland was taken out by the same school, King’s Christian College in Burleigh – a truly incredible achievement.
In total, 1,937 teams comprising of over 14,000 writers across the country tried their hand at writing a book in a day, with schools as far west as Christmas Island District High School, and as far south as Margate Primary School, in Tasmania, all taking part. Each of the books written by the teams will be read by kids in hospitals nationwide.
As for fundraisers, Mohamad D from Greenacre’s Al Sadiq College was the winner of our individual fundraiser prize in 2024. Mohamad and his community managed to raise a staggering $11,489 for children’s cancer research, having drawn inspiration by wanting to improve the lives of kids with cancer.
“I was encouraged to enter the Write a Book in a Day fundraiser by my teachers and friends,” he says. “I hope the money helps researchers find a cure and the best treatments to help kids recover from their illnesses.”
Write a Book in a Day’s desire to combine team spirit and creativity with raising money for childhood cancer research is loved by Team Coordinators and writers alike. The competition enhances a child’s writing and illustration expertise, but also leans on their creativity and builds their teamwork and leadership skills.
Catherine Christie, a teacher and team coordinator at Western Australia’s St Mary MacKillop College is full of praise for the competition.
“Write a Book in a Day is a brilliant event as there is so many opportunities for students to participate, contribute and express their individual talents,” she says. “It’s particularly fitting for our Catholic College due to the altruistic element of raising awareness as well as funds for kids with cancer.”
Kate Wilkes, a team coordinator from St Columba’s College in Western Australia, says that the competition empowers children to make a difference for kids with cancer.
“It's a great initiative to give our Literacy high achievers a chance to promote what they do well,” Wilkes says. “Write a Book in a Day is a great target for our school aged kids as they can relate in age to the children who are battling cancer.”
2025 shapes up as another incredible year, marking a decade of involvement in the competition for The Kids’ Cancer Project.
We’ve decided to go big for the milestone, setting our sights on smashing a target of $1 million to bring us closer to realising our dream of no child dying from cancer.
Registration for schools and writing groups opens on 1 May, 2025, with teams able to schedule their writing day between 1 June-30 September.
If you’d like to become an official partner for Write a Book in a Day in 2025, we would love to hear from you. It is your chance to be a part of the year we break the million-dollar barrier, while assisting in empowering writers to make a difference for kids with cancer.
If you’re interested or would like more information on how to be involved, contact Kimberley Chapple on 02 8394 7711 or email [email protected]
