Students of NRL Cowboys House have a bounce in their step thanks to financial support from the Aurizon Community Giving Fund.
New shoes, stationery and school uniforms are some of the items purchased for the students under the Back to School Program, an initiative by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR).
NRL Cowboys House provides supported accommodation for 50 young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from remote communities in north-west and Far North Queensland, enabling them to access quality secondary education options in Townsville.
As recipients of the grant from Aurizon the FRRR presented students from the Cowboys House with vouchers to purchase items in support of their education.
Cowboys Community General Manager Fiona Pelling spoke of the benefits for students.
"Given the nature of NRL Cowboys House and the cohort of students we support, we find that there is often a need to assist students with new footwear, school uniforms and clothing at the beginning of each Term," Ms Pelling said.
"While these purchases are practical we can't underestimate the positive effect on education in a broader sense. We have one student who received much needed footwear, however the real impact was in the change in his self-esteem."
General Manager for Aurizon's Bulk East Business Sarah Dixon said Aurizon is proud to support the FRRR Back to School Program through its Community Giving Fund.
"Being able to help students whose families are doing it tough is core to our aim of making a positive difference in the communities we live and work in," Ms Dixon said.
"Having a uniform that fits, new stationery or even a new lunch box for school, just like everyone else, can help get kids engaged again in their schooling."
Under the FRRR Back to School Program, schools who partner with Cowboys House also received items to distribute to other disadvantaged students in their school. These students are supplied items through the Program to help with some of the challenges they face when getting prepared for school.
The program is one of 22 successful charities who received a grant in the last round of the Aurizon Community Giving Fund.
