02 May 2023
Events and initiatives Public school life
Kind and compassionate Year 6 students around the state could be the next Fred Hollows Foundation Humanity Award winner for WA.
Nominations are open for the foundation’s 2023 junior ambassadors, celebrating students who show integrity, compassion and kindness in their everyday lives.
Tyler with three-legged dog, Rusty, after his initial donation.
And last year’s ambassador, Tyler Johnson, is encouraging others to make a difference in their communities.
“If you find a charity close to your heart or know someone in need in your community who is doing it tough or needs a helping hand, get out there and do what you can, big or small, as the feeling it gives you to help those in need is a feeling like no other,” Tyler said.
The former Geographe Primary School student was nominated for the award by his mother after he sold his toys to raise funds for SAFE Busselton, a charity that helps find homes for homeless animals.
After his initial donation, Tyler was determined to keep contributing to SAFE Busselton’s cause. He completed a two-week walkathon during the school holidays, taking 10,000 steps each day and raising more than $1,400 for the organisation.
“I never played with the toys and thought they could go to a good home, but someone offered me money for them, so I decided to donate the money to SAFE Busselton as I love animals and SAFE do such an amazing job fostering animals, making them healthy and finding them their forever families,” Tyler said.
Tyler completing his 10,000 steps with his dog, Willow.
As an ambassador, Tyler completed his second walkathon, raising $1,500 for the Fred Hollows Foundation. The now Busselton Senior High School student plans to continue his charitable efforts and says he will keep doing walkathons until his legs no longer allow him to.
Since 2012, the Fred Hollows Foundation has celebrated over 2,000 Year 6 students from across the nation who show humanitarian spirit with their Humanity Award. Each student who is nominated receives a certificate, and one outstanding nominee from each state is named a junior ambassador for the foundation.
Teachers, parents, principals and members of the community can nominate Year 6 students who demonstrate compassion, integrity and kindness. Nominations close on Friday 22 July 2023. The winners will be announced through a virtual presentation ceremony in Term 4. For more information about the awards, visit the Fred Hollows Foundation website.