STUDENTS at Siena Catholic College, Sippy Downs, donned high-vis shirts and hard hats to raise more than $10,000 for a much-loved teacher who was injured in a mountain bike accident.
ITD, Graphics and Construction teacher John Blunden sustained severe injuries in the accident including, a punctured lung, 10 broken ribs, a cracked sternum, three cracked vertebrae in his cervical spine and three shattered thoracic vertebrae and a cracked tail bone.
The terrible accident left John, who has taught at Siena Catholic College since 2005, with no feeling from the waist down and facing $200,000 surgery.
The road to recovery for the respected and dedicated teacher and father of two was expected to require many months of treatment and rehabilitation.
In a show of support for the much-loved teacher, students and staff dressed as a “Tradie for a Day" aiming to raise $10,000 to support John and his family.
Siena Principal Dr Michael McCarthy said he was blown away by the sea of fluro and flannos that arrived at the college and the donations brought by students, staff and community members.
He said it was a fitting tribute to the much-loved teacher as the college exceeded their goal of $10,000 and still counting.
Dr McCarthy said the phone has been off the hook all day with past staff members and families all donating.
"It was all overwhelming and humbling," he said.
Dr McCarthy said students wanted to show their continued support to John and his family.
“He has helped so many students - they just want to give back and dressing as tradies to raise funds seems very fitting.
“Our community well and truly turned out in force for this fundraiser, which is a tribute to the awesome man John Blunden is."
A 'Go-Fund-Me' page set up by the wider community had already raised more than $45,000 to support John but was still well short of the $200,000 goal.
It was hoped the school fundraiser would encourage members of the community to also get behind John on his road to recovery.
To donate contact the college on ssippydowns@bne.catholic.edu.au for payment options or you can drop contributions into the college office.