For 13-year-old Raifa, being presented with a CBCity Children and Youth Award at her year six graduation was a special surprise and just the boost she needed to keep up her charitable work.
The Punchbowl local has been dedicating her time to volunteering for several years and has started her own kids’ group ‘Get up Kids’ to get other local children involved.
“I noticed a lot of kids were spending far too much time on technology, and thought this would be a great way to get up, get out of the house and give back to the community,” Raifa said.
The group of 15 kids between the ages of seven and 14 years old get together during the school holidays and volunteer their time to various organisations in NSW including Strawkling, AusMap and Greater Sydney Landcare.
Their latest challenge was a 13-kilometre wild walk with Kids Giving Back to raise funds for care packages to be delivered to the homeless.
“The walk took around six hours to complete and I was so proud of all the kids in ‘Get up Kids’ who completed the walk with me to raise money for those in need.”
After being nominated by her proud mother, Raifa was awarded CBCity’s 2021 Kindness award for her commitment to helping the community.
“It was great to be recognised! It meant I could raise awareness amongst other children about the importance of giving back.”
Nominations for this year’s Children and Youth Awards are now open, and the City of Canterbury Bankstown is on the hunt for more little local legends like Raifa.
Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour said the awards are about recognising the valuable contributions that young people make to the City and encouraging them to keep up the good work.
“From cutting their hair for charity, to starting a charity of their own, I was seriously impressed by last year’s winners,” Mayor Asfour said.
“And now, we’re on the hunt for more champion children and youth.
“I cannot wait to hear about the incredible things our young people are doing!”
You can nominate a child in years 3-6, or a young person aged 12-18 years, who lives or studies in Canterbury-Bankstown. Nominations close 5pm, Sunday 16 October.
Find out more and nominate a young person at cb.city/CYAwards