An Ipswich Grammar School student who lost a family member to breast cancer has made it his mission to help raise funds to support other women diagnosed with the disease.

Year 8 student Kavi Shah said raising money for Chicks in Pink, a fundraising initiative of Mater Foundation, was a cause close to his heart.

“I had a relative who died from breast cancer, so I thought Chicks in Pink was the best charity to raise money for,” Kavi said.

Chicks in Pink, best known by its association with the annual RACQ International Women’s Day Fun Run, supports more than 1000 Queensland women diagnosed with breast cancer and treated at Mater each year.

Several students will join Kavi in sleeping under the stars on October 8 at Ipswich Grammar School’s Brassall Sports Field to raise money to support women with breast cancer.

“As soon as I mentioned to my family and friends that I was raising money for this cause, they wanted to take part and were happy to donate money,” said Kavi, the lead fund-raiser in his year.

“It might be a bit cold but my mates and I are doing it together.  We want to do our little bit to help.”

Ipswich Grammar School’s John Chalvatzis said the students hoped to raise $4000 from the Sleep Out.

“About 50 students are taking part and we’ve already raised more than $3700,” he said. “We’re hoping we can reach our target and raise even more.”

Mater Foundation Executive Director Andrew Thomas said Mater Chicks in Pink provided a range of much-needed support services for women diagnosed with breast cancer.

“Funds raised for Chicks in Pink go towards tangible and timely support services like vital equipment and mastectomy bras, as well as research into the causes of breast cancer and potentially new life-saving treatments,” he said.

“I am thrilled that a group of young boys has taken the initiative to support this incredibly worthy cause and I wish them all the best in their fund-raising efforts.”

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Donate to the Ipswich Grammar School Sleep Out on October 8 at: fundraise.mater.org.au/fundraisers/ipswichgrammarschool