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Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship

A Dare to Dream Scholarship can help teens reach their goals

Applications are currently closed. Subscribe to be notified when they open in 2024.

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Dare to Dream Scholarship 2023

We believe that cancer shouldn’t get in the way of achieving your goals.

Since 2013, Coles has partnered with Redkite to support children and young people affected by cancer and their families. During the last ten years, Coles has raised over $50 million to help thousands of Redkite families, enabling essential practical, financial, emotional, and mental health support to be provided during their cancer experience.

The Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship was established to inspire teenagers affected by cancer to achieve their goals and ambitions. This scholarship, funded by Coles, helps teenagers build their future. The possibilities that the Dare to Dream Scholarship creates for young Australians are life-changing.

Together, Redkite and Coles have awarded 500 scholarships since 2013 worth over $800,500.

Who can apply?

The Dare to Dream Scholarship is open to any teenager (aged 13-18 years old) in Australia who has cancer or has had cancer at any point in their life.

What can the scholarship be used for?

Teens can receive up to $5,000 to help them achieve a goal.

Tools and courses to develop creativity

Music, audio, and visual equipment

Computers and software

Building fitness, sport or dance skills

Tutors for big exams or school catch up

Courses, coaching, classes, or university

Pursuing a personal interest or social justice causes

Accessibility equipment

…and more!

A Dare to Dream Scholarship has given me a newfound confidence in both myself and also my attitude towards life. I struggled a lot emotionally through my experience with cancer and this scholarship will really help me to do what I love.

Kodi, aspiring TV presenter

Past recipients

Stories from inspiring young people who Dared to Dream

Diagnosed with a brain tumour at 11 years old, Mitchell had to pack up his life and move to Brisbane for a year of gruelling treatment, leaving his friends, family and school behind. Despite the challenges he has faced, Mitchell is still aiming for the sky and is as determined as ever to bring his dream of becoming a pilot into reality.

It hasn’t been an easy road and Mitchell continues to face personal challenges everyday, but this inspiring team continues to shoot for the stars.

“I couldn’t think of anything better than to be flying free above the clouds,” he says.

Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at the age of 15, Samuel faced two gruelling years of treatment where he missed important schooling, sport, and time with his friends. Despite these challenges, the determined teenager graduated year 12 with an ATAR that gained him entry into a Bachelor of Medical Science at Macquarie University.

2021 saw Samuel face more personal challenges. He had a hip replacement, which forced him to miss out on university, and he lost his dad suddenly, who was one of his biggest supports.

“Despite the challenges in my life, I am more determined than ever to achieve my goal and make my dad proud. Helping others is something I’ve always known I wanted to do and, having experienced cancer, I would love to help people who are in a similar situation as I could relate to them.”

Joshua was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his left leg when he was 12 years old. At the time of his diagnosis he had been playing piano for eight years and continued to play through two relapses: one in November 2018, when the tumour moved to his right lung, and one in August 2019, when the tumour moved to his spine.

“Cancer has, undoubtedly, prevented me from reaching my full potential in music. Due to all my surgeries, my movement has been quite limited, and piano is one of the only remaining things that I enjoy that I can still do. I also really like the sound of the piano,” Joshua said.

With his scholarship, Joshua upgraded his piano so he could continue to improve his skills. When asked about how the piano would change his life, he said, “The piano that I have now is over half a century old and the sustain pedal (right pedal) doesn’t work anymore. With this [upgraded] piano, I will be able to fully express myself and play more challenging pieces.” Joshua, now 18, is currently studying at university and dreams of one day becoming a professional pianist and composer.

Thomas was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in January 2020. “Throughout my nine months of treatment, I’ve had very little energy and I’ve been in a lot of pain. I’ve had to isolate, not only because of COVID-19, but mainly due to my low blood counts. Cancer has also caused me to lose a lot of my strength and endurance,” Thomas said.

Thomas’ dream is to one day become a firefighter for Fire and Rescue New South Wales, a dream that comes from his father, who served as a volunteer firefighter for the NSW Rural Fire Service and passed away from lymphoma when Thomas was just nine years old.

Now off-treatment, but still undergoing regular check-ups, Thomas said that the $5,000 scholarship will help him complete the physical and emotional prerequisites he needs to join Fire and Rescue NSW and improve his overall happiness. Since receiving his scholarship, Thomas, now 18, has continued with his studies, gained his drivers license, been going to the gym five days a week and is feeling a lot fitter and healthier.

Teah, who was diagnosed with medullabastoma when she was just two years old, is passionate about photography, especially taking snaps of pets. When Teah was diagnosed, she felt constantly angry as she believed most of her childhood was taken away because of cancer.

“It really sucked because of all the side effects from having cancer reminded me every day that I had cancer – I was still ‘The Cancer Kid’. I got over it and I’m now on the road to doing something that I love. Finding out that I’d won a Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship made my year. It has given my confidence a massive boost and it’s encouraged me to apply for the TAFE course I’m interested in and to purchase the new laptop that I want. It will make the whole process of editing and uploading pet photos so much easier,” Teah said.

How to apply


Please make sure to read all of the questions carefully and refer to the FAQs for more information.

Applications open again in 2024!

This is how we get to know you and gain an insight into your cancer story. Please introduce yourself, your diagnosis and the impact it has had on you and your goals.

You can submit either 150-250 words OR a 60-90 second video response answering questions 1 and 2. Please see our FAQs if you wish to submit a video.

A goal is anything you wish to accomplish. It can be related to your hobbies and interests outside of school, sports or physical fitness, to further your education, or to help you get on track for your exams or for the career of your choice.

It could be a huge aspiration or something to help you right now. No matter what stage of your journey with cancer you’re at, we’d like to assist you to work towards your goal.

You can submit either 150-250 words OR a 60-90 second video response answering questions 1 and 2. Please see our FAQs if you wish to submit a video.

Please let us know what you would spend the money on, why it’s important and what it would cost.

For example: “$1,000 for a laptop and $2,500 for course fees, which will mean I have everything I need to do well in my course to become a youth worker.”

Some examples of items to help you achieve your goals: textbooks, photo or video equipment, computers or software, driving lessons, gym memberships, sporting equipment, art materials, musical instruments, a coach, an online course, or mentoring program.

No more than 250 words

1. Confirmation of diagnosis letter from your health professional

This can be from a GP, social worker, nurse or oncologist. Older documents are fine if the contact details listed are still correct. If Redkite already has this information you do not need to submit it again.

2. A personal reference letter

This letter can be from a family member, friend or anyone who knows you well. It should answer the following questions:

  1. How well do they know you?
  2. How have they witnessed your passion and drive to achieve your goal?
  3. How will they support you to achieve this goal?

Between 200-500 words

Keen to apply in 2024? That’s great!

Subscribe below and we will be in touch when applications open again.

Frequently asked questions

The below FAQs cover what you should do before you apply, your application, our requirements, and what happens if you receive a scholarship.

If you have any questions that aren’t covered, please contact us at 1800 733 548 or scholarships@redkite.org.au.

Any person living in Australia aged between 13 and 18 years old. The applicant either currently has cancer, or has had a cancer diagnosis at any point in their life.

If you are within the 13-18 year age range and did not receive the $5,000 scholarship last year, you are welcome to apply again this year.

You will need to spend all of the money you received last year before you are able to apply this year.

Please include answers to the below questions, a personal reference, and a medical verification document (confirmation of diagnosis).

  1. How has cancer affected you?
  2. What is the goal or aspiration that you want to achieve?
  3. How will this scholarship help you reach your goal?

Please see the How to apply section for more details.

  • School tutoring, online courses and mentoring
  • Equipment and tools to take on an apprenticeship
  • Sport registration including swimming lessons, ballet, soccer, basketball and more
  • Gym and yoga fees
  • To purchase a specific laptop and camera for a graphic design course
  • Course fees to pursue a career as a mechanic
  • Driving lessons
  • Wellbeing and educational course fees and expenses

For more inspiration, read our past recipients’ stories.

Absolutely. The scholarship isn’t about how big your goal is – it’s about demonstrating the commitment you have to achieve it despite having faced cancer.

The panel will be looking for powerful, persuasive entries that clearly and creatively demonstrate:

  • What you want to achieve
  • How cancer got in the way
  • How receiving a scholarship will help you achieve your goal

The panel isn’t concerned about how big or small your goal is; they care about you and your story.

Applications are submitted in the Dare to Dream section of the myRedkite online portal. Please view our user guide for in-depth instructions or contact us for support. We recommend signing up for a myRedkite account now so you can subscribe for updates and be prepared for when applications open again in 2024.

Contact us by calling 1800 733 548 or emailing scholarships@redkite.org.au. Please get in touch as soon as you can, as we are not able to accept late applications.

The person who provides a reference should support you in following your dream and say why they think you will be able to achieve it despite having faced cancer. The reference should be between 200-500 words and include: how they know you/their relationship to you (it can be a family member, friend – anyone who knows you well), how they have witnessed your passion and drive to achieve your goal, and how they will support you to achieve this goal.

For more information see How to Apply.

Older documents from health professionals confirming your diagnosis details are fine, providing the listed contact details are still current. If you have verified your medical history with Redkite before, you will not need to do so again. If you are unsure and would like to check, please contact scholarships@redkite.org.au.

Written submissions shouldn’t be more than 750 words. Video submissions should be one video only and no more than 5 minutes long.

If you would like to submit a video (maximum 5 minutes in total), please upload it to YouTube and select “Unlisted” in the privacy settings. This way, only people you send the link to (like us) will be able to view it. Instructions on how to upload to YouTube can be found here.

Once applications have been reviewed and all Dare to Dream Scholarships have been awarded, you can remove your video from YouTube if you wish by following the steps outlined here.

You will hear from Redkite by 28 July 2023 if your application is through to the second round. Applications that go through to the final round will be notified by 25 August 2023.

You have to spend the money on the expenses you’ve indicated in your application.

We won’t take it off you! Cancer’s unpredictable and we’ll be flexible in working with you to come to a solution. If you want to discuss this before putting in an application, please get in touch.

2023 recipients need to spend their funds by 30 June 2024. 2024 recipients need to spend their funds by 30 June 2025.

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