By Natalee Kerr
Her classmates enjoy sport, cooking and photography, but for Newtown’s Indigo Irving her passion is to “help others”.
The 15-year-old is holding her first fundraiser as part of a school assignment to raise awareness for Lupus, a rare chronic condition.
“My teachers said I was the first student they’ve heard of to do a fundraiser as a personal project,” Indigo said.
The year nine Sacred Heart College student said the project required her to choose a topic she was “passionate” about.
“I didn’t want to do netball or something like that – I wanted to do something a bit different.”
Despite describing herself as “no good” at art, Indigo has teamed up with art workshop company Paint Like Picasso to hold a fundraiser for not-for-profit charity Lupus Victoria.
The potentially life-threatening disease is caused by a malfunctioning of the immune system, according to Better Health.
Indigo said she was inspired to create the fundraiser in support of a family friend who was diagnosed with the incurable condition last August.
“I straight away thought of her.
“I never heard of Lupus until her diagnosis. I felt like other people should know about it, too.”
Indigo’s mum, Leah, said she was “thrilled” with her daughter’s fundraising efforts.
“I’m really proud of her. She’s been educating me along the way about it all, too,” Leah said.
Paint Like Picasso will be at St Joseph’s College, 135 Aphrasia St, Newtown, on 10 November.
Tickets are available at eventbrite.com.au/e/paint-like-picasso-lupus-fundraising-tickets-76183152861.
