Brunswick School students participate in Wig Wednesday in Whanganui to support the Child Cancer Foundation

Brunswick School students wearing their wigs for Wig Wednesday. From left to right: Beatrix Macintosh, Alicia Laird, Amelia Bennett, Natasha Penn and Charlotte Osborn. Photo / Sarah Lourie

The Child Cancer Foundation's Wig Wednesday has added meaning for those involved with Brunswick School.

One of their own is a cancer survivor, so friends, family and staff were more than happy to wear a wig and donate a gold coin to the cause last week.

Amelia Bennett, 11, who beat the disease following a two year battle, wore her beads of courage and shared a speech about her journey with the school.

Brunswick School teacher Sarah Lourie said that it was an awesome moment.

"People were quite emotional because Amelia is quite a shy kid anyway, so for her to stand up and share her journey was so cool," Lourie said.

"I think she has over 1000 beads of courage, so you can imagine what she has been through, she's had a pretty tough time, but she has been given clearance now."

Beads are collected as part of The Beads of Courage programme which provides a story of a child's journey recognising their strength and courage.

Each bead represents a treatment, an experience or a milestone.

Wig Wednesday was last week, but Brunswick School participated early as Amelia and her family planned to go on holiday.

The school, with a roll of 80, raised $135 for child cancer support.

"We fundraise every year, but since we've had this direct involvement through one of our students, it hits a little more close to home," Lourie said.

"We think it's an awesome concept, it raises awareness of how some kids do go through chemo and lose their hair and have to have that battle of getting their self esteem back."

Amelia is now an ambassador for the Child Cancer Foundation. She is featured on posters promoting fundraising and raises money with other cancer survivors from Whanganui.