St. Benedict raises nearly $9K for Spread the Net

St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School raised $8,844.75 to prevent malaria infections in Africa through its participation in Rick Mercer's Spread the Net Challenge.

The school originally set out to raise $7,500 to purchase 750 nets, enough to save as many as 1,500 individuals (as each bed net may be used to protect two people for up to three years).

This year, funds raised through the student challenge will provide bed nets to families in Zimbabwe. The fundraiser was organized through the charity Plan Canada. Students asked for pledges at home, canvassed neighbourhoods for community involvement and held in-school events such as a dress-down day and a student-teacher volleyball game to raise money.

The 63 participating schools across Canada raised more than $170,000 for Spread the Net.