Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs Our supporters get active about fundraising during lockdown
29 June 2020
From age 7 to 72, these dedicated supporters turned their extra time during the COVID-19 crisis into an opportunity to help disadvantaged students. See how their unique ways to fundraise gave their friends and family a chance to join in. And nothing beats the feeling of knowing they were making a huge difference to students in need.
We asked them why they chose to support The Smith Family.
We asked them why they chose to support The Smith Family.
Louis the juggling legend!
Louis, just seven years old, raised an amazing $551 to support children who are less fortunate them himself. How? By juggling a soccer ball!
Q. Why did you choose to support The Smith Family?
A. Because I think there are lots of other kids that deserve to have the same opportunities as me.
Q. Tell us a bit about how the activity worked
A. The activity was all about my favourite sport, soccer. The ‘Keepy-uppy Challenge’ was all about kicking the ball in the air and off the ground as long as possible. I did this for 10 minutes every hour between 7am and 7pm on the weekend. It was very tiring!
Q. What would you say to someone thinking about fundraising for The Smith Family?
A. Raising money for charity is the best. It also helps if you choose something that you love doing and that you're good at.
Louis, just seven years old, raised an amazing $551 to support children who are less fortunate them himself. How? By juggling a soccer ball!
Q. Why did you choose to support The Smith Family?
A. Because I think there are lots of other kids that deserve to have the same opportunities as me.
Q. Tell us a bit about how the activity worked
A. The activity was all about my favourite sport, soccer. The ‘Keepy-uppy Challenge’ was all about kicking the ball in the air and off the ground as long as possible. I did this for 10 minutes every hour between 7am and 7pm on the weekend. It was very tiring!
Q. What would you say to someone thinking about fundraising for The Smith Family?
A. Raising money for charity is the best. It also helps if you choose something that you love doing and that you're good at.
Raising money for charity is the best. It also helps if you choose something that you love doing and that you're good at.
Jas is snipping her way to giving back
During isolation, Jas felt it was the perfect time to shave her head – and support a cause she is passionate about at the same time. She raised an amazing $2,645 to support The Smith Family while doing the shave.
Q. Why did you choose a head shave?
A. Shaving my head was always something I joked about with friends and family and I knew if I was ever going to do it, I wanted to do it for a cause. Then, when isolation came about, I thought it was a great opportunity to act on it. Especially since if by any chance I had a funny looking head, the only people who had to see it were my roomies and me. Plus, I thought why not bring some light and laughs into a dark time in the world.
Q. What would you say to anyone wanting to do something similar?
A. Do it! I can at least vouch for the time saved washing/drying your hair, the gratefulness from your vacuum and lint rollers, and blissfully rolling the window down on a drive and not having your hair block the view. But even if it's not shaving your head, it feels good to contribute to a cause you're passionate about and know you're doing something for someone out there! 10/10 would recommend.
Q. Why did you choose to support The Smith Family?
A. The Smith Family is an organisation I'm very fond of. Working with youth, particularly those who are disadvantaged, is a passion of mine. I believe education to be very valuable in bettering the future generations and so The Smith Family was the ideal choice to contribute to!
During isolation, Jas felt it was the perfect time to shave her head – and support a cause she is passionate about at the same time. She raised an amazing $2,645 to support The Smith Family while doing the shave.
Q. Why did you choose a head shave?
A. Shaving my head was always something I joked about with friends and family and I knew if I was ever going to do it, I wanted to do it for a cause. Then, when isolation came about, I thought it was a great opportunity to act on it. Especially since if by any chance I had a funny looking head, the only people who had to see it were my roomies and me. Plus, I thought why not bring some light and laughs into a dark time in the world.
Q. What would you say to anyone wanting to do something similar?
A. Do it! I can at least vouch for the time saved washing/drying your hair, the gratefulness from your vacuum and lint rollers, and blissfully rolling the window down on a drive and not having your hair block the view. But even if it's not shaving your head, it feels good to contribute to a cause you're passionate about and know you're doing something for someone out there! 10/10 would recommend.
Q. Why did you choose to support The Smith Family?
A. The Smith Family is an organisation I'm very fond of. Working with youth, particularly those who are disadvantaged, is a passion of mine. I believe education to be very valuable in bettering the future generations and so The Smith Family was the ideal choice to contribute to!
Paul got moving to help children in need
On May 10 Paul, aged 72, ran 42km in support of The Smith Family because he felt that no child should be left behind during the COVID-19 Pandemic. He successfully raised $1406 in doing so – and encouraged his friends and family too.
We would like to say a huge thank to everyone involved:
Paul’s nephew, Nick, ran another 42k in Noosa, QLD
Paul’s friend Geoff (pictured with Paul), cycled 50 km in Perth, WA
Another friend Patricia joined in by walking 42km over a week in Canada
His daughter, Sarah ran 10 km in WA with two friends
And his daughter, Shilo, along with granddaughter Violette, ran 5 km also in WA
Q. Why did you choose to run a marathon?
A. I was booked to compete in the London Marathon on April 21 and it was postponed until October. All similar running events in Australia were also either cancelled or postponed. So, rather than missing out, I decided to still run the same distance, on my own, and raise money at the same time. And I encouraged my family and friends to do the same!
Q. Why did you choose to support The Smith Family?
A. During the Coronavirus lockdown vulnerable people, like children from poor families, suffer even more. So I thought the best way to add meaning to my marathon was to show my support for them.
Q. What would you say to anyone thinking of doing something similar?
A. Setting and completing a personal goal is good for you and can inspire others. The power of one is real! During a crisis like the present one, it keeps you motivated. A huge extra is to do it for others like the children of The Smith Family.
On May 10 Paul, aged 72, ran 42km in support of The Smith Family because he felt that no child should be left behind during the COVID-19 Pandemic. He successfully raised $1406 in doing so – and encouraged his friends and family too.
We would like to say a huge thank to everyone involved:
Paul’s nephew, Nick, ran another 42k in Noosa, QLD
Paul’s friend Geoff (pictured with Paul), cycled 50 km in Perth, WA
Another friend Patricia joined in by walking 42km over a week in Canada
His daughter, Sarah ran 10 km in WA with two friends
And his daughter, Shilo, along with granddaughter Violette, ran 5 km also in WA
Q. Why did you choose to run a marathon?
A. I was booked to compete in the London Marathon on April 21 and it was postponed until October. All similar running events in Australia were also either cancelled or postponed. So, rather than missing out, I decided to still run the same distance, on my own, and raise money at the same time. And I encouraged my family and friends to do the same!
Q. Why did you choose to support The Smith Family?
A. During the Coronavirus lockdown vulnerable people, like children from poor families, suffer even more. So I thought the best way to add meaning to my marathon was to show my support for them.
Q. What would you say to anyone thinking of doing something similar?
A. Setting and completing a personal goal is good for you and can inspire others. The power of one is real! During a crisis like the present one, it keeps you motivated. A huge extra is to do it for others like the children of The Smith Family.
