Schoolboy's charity campaign raises $1m for farmers
A selfless 10-year-old boy who took it upon himself to raise much-needed funds for farmers affected by the drought has exceeded all expectations after surpassing the $1million mark.
Jack Berne, a grade four student at St John the Baptist Catholic School in Freshwater, Sydney, was the instigator of “a fiver for a farmer” at the start of August.
He was inspired to help out after learning about the struggles of those on the land in class.
“I heard that there are kids that are skipping school to help out on their farms. Kids that are our age!” Jack wrote in a letter to media outlets as he began his fundraising with classmates.
He called on students and workers to unite on August 13 by dressing as farmers while donating $5 to the cause.
Setting himself the target of $20,000, Jack has since blown that figure out the water and has reached a landmark seven-figure sum.
“I feel really good, its so amazing,” Jack told Sunrise on Friday.
Jack now wants to split the funds between two charities – Drought Angels and Rural Aid.
With the funds the charities will be able to give struggling farmers care packages, hay bales and access to counsellors.
Jack’s proud mother, Prue, labelled her son a “champ of a kid” and labelled the response from schools right across Australia as “overwhelming”.
“It’s been amazing,” Ms Berne said.
While Jack is among those raising cash for the farmers, others are doing what they can to help out.
Notably one woman in New South Wales has sent over 400 knitted jumpers to help farmers keep their lambs warm during the drought.
