Blue Mountains Grammar School (BMGS) resembled a sea of pink on June 18 when students officially launched ex-student Jonathan Collins' fundraising campaign for the McGrath Foundation, which will see him cycle 13,700km around Australia from early October.
Mr Collins, 24 and his younger brother Jake (who will drive a support vehicle) were warmly welcomed by the students, who got into the spirit of the inaugural Grammar Goes Pink Day by sporting shorts, shirts, make-up and even hair in many shades of pink.
A video message presented by Glenn McGrath was beamed onto a big screen at a special assembly.
Mr McGrath said "thank you Jonathan and to everyone at BMGS who is supporting your bike ride".
"It's incredible what you are attempting to do, I hope you enjoy the experience and I know the difference you will be making to the lives of families experiencing breast cancer is huge.
"To date the McGrath Foundation has placed 93 breast care nurses in communities around Australia and they've helped support more than 25,000 families.
"By the time your journey begins, Jonathan, we'll probably have reached our maiden ton of McGrath breast care nurses. Best of luck."
Mr Collins said "having been a student here at BMGS until the end of 2007, it was good to return today to thank the school for getting behind what I'm doing for the McGrath Foundation.
"I've been doing a lot of training for the trip - riding about 350 to 400 kilometres per week - building up to October, so I'll be prepared.
"The bike seat is very hard, but I'm slowly but surely getting used to it!"
Headmaster Trevor Barman said it had been great to see the way students and staff got into the spirit of the day and its cause.
"The money raised today will help kick start Jonathan's campaign and part of the funds raised in the senior school's upcoming 45-kilometre Bungawarra Walk in the holidays will also go to the McGrath Foundation and other charities."
The senior school's deputy headmaster Paul Humble - with a shock of pink hair dyed by the students - said the best part of the fundraising day was that it was student led.
"The student leadership team is keen to keep building community service projects and to get that message out."
BMGS senior girls school captain Olivia Grivas said watching Glenn McGrath's video message was inspiring.
"It's great to see Glenn McGrath knows personally what's going on here and it makes us feel really involved and connected," she said.
"Grammar Goes Pink Day was a big success and I'm under the impression it will continue in the years ahead and become a school tradition."
Mr Collins aims to raise up to $250,000 during his bike ride around Australia.
To sponsor him, go to www.tourdnation-com.webs.com.
