Can you believe another year is over? We had four really good bleeds this year. VP is the school with the highest number of bleeds per capita. We have come out in true VP spirit. The faint hearted, needle-fearers and even the “main manne” bled. It must be said that the soccer and rugby boys donated more blood than the girls this year. So the Peer Promoters board is just putting it out there- maybe 2010 will be the ladies year?

These small acts of selflessness have saved lives. From the matrics on the board, we just want to say thank you and we hope that the “Proudly Victorian” spirit keeps flowing high in the school and that we stay on top with the donating. VP is always complimented on how well mannered and friendly we are, this is a tradition we intend to purse and that next year will be even better than this one. So get out there, and give a little of yourself.

The board would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Mrs. Russell and Mr. Vermaak for their support and to the team that trained us to help you .t.he school pupils, to answer all your questions regarding safe and healthy donating.

Shannon Zamouzaridis

Peer promotion is a very important function of SANBS (South African National Blood Service). Our role is to encourage pupils to come forward and give a unit of blood every 3 months. Once you have donated, you are away! The first time is the worst, as one thinks it is going to be terrible. But it is not. The finger prick stings a teeny bit, and that is the worst for many! It is such a feeling of achievement, to know that you have given of yourself to save a life! Of course the reward of delicious biscuits and juice, as well as legitimately missing you not- so- favourite period, is a bonus!!

Our Peer Promoters have been on training courses at SANBS, to equipt them with the necessary knowledge to answer the endless questions, like…Where does my blood go, or can I donate if I am on antibiotics or if I am playing a soccer match in the afternoon?

Please Victorians over 16 years of age, over 50 Kgs, come and donate. It is so heart-warming each time to see how many new donors arrive. The vibe in the Thorp Hall is fabulous, and you will walk away with a such a feeling of personal achievement and pride! What a gift you have given to someone in desperate need!!

Melanie- Ann Connolley and Carla Welsh

Peer Promoters are a very important part of the SANBS (South African National Blood Service) we represent the SANBS

Our peer promoters are trained representatives who continually attend workshops in an effort to learn more about blood donation and how to answer peoples questions about where their blood goes etc.

We enjoy the never-ending support of pupils (who are older that 16 and weight more than 50kg), old scholars and parents. This encourages us to eat healthier and to take care of our bodies with a sense of pride because someone will be receiving your gift of life, blood.

We would like to encourage all who meet the requirements to donate blood the needle doesn’t hurt! We as peer promoters strive to make people aware and fully informed about the role they can play in saving lives.

The peer promoters would like to thank everyone who took part in our blood drives and special thanks go to Mrs. Russell and Mr. Vermaak for their support. Last year we donated over four hundred units, we are hoping to beat that amount this year. Specially pleasing is the number of boys who are donating. Well done and keep blooding.

Anelisa Makosa