FUNDRAISING

Now students make it happen... and find their supportive community!

BE INSPIRED

INSPIRATION

Every great adventure begins with determination. Many of our students have made their Travel Gang experience possible through creative fundraising... from bake sales and busking to major community events. Students have rallied their schools, families, and local businesses to help them take the stage overseas. Their stories prove what’s possible when passion meets purpose.

This page celebrates their stories and shows that with a little imagination, you can make your dream tour a reality.

REAL STUDENTS, REAL DETERMINATION

Meet Jarrod

When Jarrod set his sights on joining the Kiwi All-Stars tour, he decided to combine his love of music with a clever fundraising idea. Drawing inspiration from the King himself, he created a one-man Elvis Presley tribute act, complete with a costume made by his grandma, and timeless songs that brought joy to audiences across local rest homes and pubs.

Jarrod’s performances became a hit in his community. Every show helped him edge closer to his goal, and by the time the tour departed, he had raised every dollar he needed to make his dream a reality. Jarrod continues to perform his Elvis tribute today and has even gone on to win recognition in Elvis impersonation competitions across New Zealand.

Lola and Zara - sunscreen fundraiser.JPG

Meet Lola & Zara

When Lola and Zara put their heads together to plan their fundraising, they wanted to do something that reflected both their sunny personalities and their upcoming Travel Gang adventure. Their idea? Sunscreen... but with a twist.

The pair approached an organic sunscreen manufacturer and pitched the concept of a limited-edition Travel Gang sunscreen. The company loved the idea and created a special batch featuring the Travel Gang logo.

Lola and Zara began selling their custom sunscreen at local markets and community events, and it quickly became a hit. Demand grew so strong that even the Travel Gang office started receiving calls from people asking where they could buy more!

“We wanted to sell something people would actually use — and it turned out everyone wanted one!” - Lola & Zara

Their clever thinking, teamwork, and entrepreneurial flair not only raised funds for their tour but also showed the power of creativity and community support.

Meet Ben

Ben’s imagination and determination took him far beyond the stage. To raise funds for his Aussie All-Stars tour, he decided to become a published author... not once, but thrice.

Working with an illustrator, Ben wrote "The Tap Dancing T-Rex", a quirky children’s story full of rhythm and personality. Thanks to the generosity of a local printer, he was able to produce copies for free and sell each one for $10. The book became such a hit in his community that Ben went on to release two other books, "The Musical Monster" and "The money with the Blue Bum".

Through his creativity and persistence, Ben raised a significant portion of his tour costs, proving that great ideas can take you anywhere.

“Writing books started as a way to fund my trip, but it turned into something I truly love. Seeing kids read my stories has been extra rewarding.” — Ben

Meet Addison

Addi’s fundraising journey reflects her creativity, her passion for storytelling, and her love of the arts. A dedicated bookworm and emerging young artist, Addi began experimenting with transforming old books into intricate 3D butterfly artworks. Each piece was handmade from recycled pages, crafted with care, and turned into beautiful gift cards she sold online.

"I’m a young artist, still figuring out what I most love to create. I’m a total bookworm nerd, and I love combining two of my passions to up-cycle old books and create the 3D butterfly artwork. I have started selling my art to raise money for an incredible opportunity involving my major passion, acting." - Addison

Addi’s dedication paid off. Her unique handmade creations not only raised funds for her All-Stars tour, they also allowed her to share her art with supporters across Australia. Her story is a reminder that the skills you already have can open doors to the places you dream of going.

FUNDRAISING IDEAS

Perform & Share Your Talent;