TWO Limestone Coast youngsters have joined the national outpouring of generosity towards bushfire-affected communities, launching their own fundraisers to help in the disaster recovery efforts.
Six year old Kayleigh Moyses and 12 year old Georgia Gentile have both shown their charitable nature in unique ways, with Kayleigh manning a lemonade stall and Georgia hosting a hair braiding fundraiser over the weekend.
Georgia had planned to hold a braiding fundraiser to raise money to cut off her hair for cancer research but her cause changed once she learned about the bushfire devastation.
“I saw everyone losing their homes and belongings and everything,” Georgia said.
“I thought it was really sad so I wanted to help out.”
Georgia’s mum Jodi Greenwood said her daughter always had the tendency to lend a helping hand, with future aspirations of becoming a paramedic.
“She always wants to help out,” she said.
“Just like with planning to cut her hair off, she just likes helping people who need it and she loves braiding hair, so the stall was a great fit for her.”
Kayleigh was inspired after her and mother Briony Moyses felt the need to help the victims, taking baked goods for a fundraiser near the aquatic centre.
While buying supplies, Ms Moyses was offered a spot outside of Coles Mount Gambier to host her own fundraiser, which spurred the duo on to do more.
“We were originally going to do cinnabuns, but when we decided to take on the stall out the front of Coles, we branched out,” Ms Moyses said.
“Kayleigh made her own lemonade to sell and we made other Aussie classics like Anzac biscuits, lemon slice and cornflake cookies.
“It was amazing how many people came past and either bought something, donated just because or said they did not have anything to donate but congratulated us on what we were doing.
“The sense of community was really heart warming.”
Both Kayleigh and Georgia said the fires destruction of homes just before the festive season was something that spurred them to create change.
“Kayleigh saw the firefighters on TV who are all volunteers and the people who had lost their homes which upset her,” Ms Moyses said.
“But I think realising the kids would not have presents on Christmas day was the thing that set her off.
“In a child’s mind all they think about is Christmas presents at that time of year, so it is a different perspective but still got the point across they needed help.”
With the Australian bushfires dominating news sources and social media across the country, Ms Moyses said she grappled with explaining the situation to Kayleigh.
“At first we wanted to shield them from it,” she said.
“But it is everywhere – even our sky has been smoky, so we had to explain it.
“We tried to filter it as best we could, but just told her about people losing their homes and animals needing help and she understood.”
Ms Greenwood said she felt the same way when it came to talking to her children about the crisis.
“My kids are a bit older so they can watch TV and see everything that is happening,” she said.
“But it is still really scary as a parent to have that happening and watch your children get upset by what is going on.”
Although the reality has been frightening, the goodwill shown by the community has encouraged Georgia to hold another fundraiser this weekend.
Georgia will again host a braiding stall at Mount Gambier Central between 10am and 2pm this Saturday.
“It was so busy on the weekend that I did not stop braiding for five hours straight,” Georgia said.
“I have raised $1200 already and I hope this weekend I make it to $1500.
“All of the money will go to the St Vinnies Bushfire Appeal.”
Donations from Kayleigh’s stall last weekend, which amounted to around $900, have been given to the Country Fire Service.
