Kiama High Students, Hallie Richmond and Sophie Yates, are overwhelmed by the amount of community support they have received to help get them to the prestigious London Youth Science Forum (LYSF).

The year 12 students will set off to London next month where they will join 500 others from around the world in attending lectures by high-profile scientists, including Nobel prize winners, and exploring some of the finest research labs in the UK.

Hallie and Sophie’s fundraising efforts and help from the community have paid for their two-week program, raising up to $16,000.

“We have been overwhelmed with the amount of money that we have raised,” Sophie says.

“We’re so grateful, I feel like we can't say enough. It’s just amazing for such a small community.”

They have received large amounts of money from local businesses and organisations including Gerringong Rotary Club and Gerringong Lions Club, as well as Kiama Council, MP Gareth Ward and Fiona Phillips, who have donated $1,000 each.

Hallie and Sophie say they have received warm wishes from the community and want to thank everyone for their fundraising.

“People have become so invested and so willing to donate, it’s been so humbling,” Sophie says.

Hallie is shocked at the amount of people who have been supportive of their academic achievement and says – with a mixture of school, meetings and fundraising – she hasn’t had time to process her exciting journey yet.

She is looking forward to using the Science Forum to narrow down her interests in health, science, biology and anatomy.

Sophie, who is interested in tackling a double degree of law and science with biology as a major, is keen to find out how she can enter into the science field in the most impactful way.

You can still donate to Hallie and Sophie here.