Student Challenge Details and Key Dates

Help stop the spread of malaria in Africa.

Be the high school, college or university to raise the most funds through the Spread the Net Student Challenge and help buy anti-malaria mosquito bed nets for children in Africa! This year, the top fundraising school from the West and the top one from the East will each recieve a personal visit from Rick Mercer and will appear on an episode of The Rick Mercer Report in March 2010!

Taking the Challenge:

1. Get Involved!
Register your high school or college/university online (only registered schools will be considered eligible to win a visit from Rick Mercer) to receive and download fundraising materials to support your campaign. Materials include a fundraising handbook, posters, stickers, remittance package and a sample untreated bed net (optional) to use as a visual prop. Additional materials can be downloaded here.

2. Be Creative!
Form groups to raise funds for bed nets. You can help Spread the Net by organizing exciting fundraising events at your school or campus! Host sports tournaments, hold open mic nights or stage a battle of the bands! Plan a fashion show, a dance or a street sale to help you raise funds. Check out the footage from The Rick Mercer Report featuring the 2008/2009 top fundraisers!

3. Spread the Word!
Email your friends, family and neighbours. Be sure to take advantage of your personal on-line fundraising page to spread the word and raise nets by simply emailing people you know.  You'll be surprised how easy it is to netraise!

Appeal to your student council, teachers, faculty, staff and peers.

Challenge rival schools to join in! Contact your local media to create a buzz and tell EVERYONE about how your school is joining Spread the Net in fighting malaria and saving lives!

4. Send in Funds!
Encourage donations online or collect funds and submit to UNICEF Canada by cheque. 

Cheques should be made payable to:
UNICEF Canada - Spread the Net Student Challenge
2200 Yonge Street
Suite 1100
Toronto, ON  M5R 2J4 

5. Share the Fun!
Share your net-raising experience by submitting stories, photos and ideas here and by sending a note to spreadthenet@unicef.ca.

Key Dates:

Top School Eligibility

School teams may wish to get involved anytime or continue fundraising after the due date for the nationwide challenge however in order to be eligible for the visit from Rick Mercer funds must have been submitted on or before February 26, 2010. Funds supporting Spread the Net can be sent to UNICEF at any time. 

All Canadian schools are invited to fundraise through the Spread the Net Student Challenge however please note that schools eligible to win a visit from Rick Mercer include only colleges, universities and secondary schools (or those with at least grade 9 or higher participating in the challenge) As Rick Mercer's humour and content is geared towards older adolescents and adults, eligibility for this prize is limited to school teams with students in grade 9-12 or secondary 3-5 and CEGEP in Quebec.