A Walcha boy delivered 164 backpacks this week to the agencies handling foster placement across the New England and North West, after he made it his mission to make life a little bit easier for children placed into foster care.
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Simon Wellings' family has been fostering children on long-term, short term, respite and emergency placements for four years and the 9-year-old was shocked by how little the children have when they arrive.
"We had some little boys who came into our care a couple of months ago, and when they came in they didn't have anything, and Simon was quite shocked and said to me 'we need to do something about this mum' and that's where the backpack idea started from," Simon's mum Rachael said.
On his 9th birthday, Simon put the call out to help him collect things to create a backpack to be given to each child (ranging in age from babies to teenagers) when they are placed in foster care.
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Thanks to generous donations from individuals, organisations and service clubs across the region he collected more than $10,000 worth of goodies and was able to put together backpacks worth about $60 each.
As well as essentials, each backpack contains toys and activities; and some items most of us would not think of.
"There are pyjamas and all the essential toiletries, a game, a toy, a journal, an activity pack, a ball, a fidget spinner and a luggage tag because we heard from children who had been in care that was really important because they haven't got anything with their name on it," Mrs Wellings said.
"There is also a torch because the children are usually in an unfamiliar setting and it's hard to remember where the toilet is in the middle of the night; and underpants still in their packets, or with the tags still on, because no one wants to wear second hand underwear.
Then right on the top is a soft cuddly toy which was hugged by Simon and his cousins when they put the packs together- to transfer the love
Both Simon and his mum are keen to see the project keep going and have been in discussion with service clubs in the area who are interested in taking it on as an annual task.
"The feedback we will be seeking from the foster agencies is how many backpacks they need each year," Mrs Wellings said.
"We will see how long these packs last and what facilities there are for storing large quantities in the future - because that can be an issue.
"We are really excited with how this all came together.
"The Walcha community was amazing, but also the Tamworth and Armidale service clubs were really generous as well."
Vanessa Arundale
Everyone has a story to tell and I like to help them do it.
Everyone has a story to tell and I like to help them do it.
