Anyone that knows me should know that I’m a passionate supporter of a number of organisations that seek to deliver justice and hope to those in desperate situations.
I’ve got to admit that when I see what others are doing to help I feel so very inadequate. I’ve been overseas and seen courageous people working for change in ways that I never could. They have skills that I not only don’t have but could never learn. I’m just not wired like they are.
The good news is that if that’s not how God has put me together, then that’s not what he’s asking me to do. That’s why I use my cycling to raise funds and awareness as well as being an advocate for organisations that are doing great work in various places around the world.
One of the organisations that I strongly support is Compassion Australia, an international Christian holistic child development and child advocacy ministry working to release children from poverty.
Yesterday I learned that the Fundraising Institute of Australia (FIA) has announced 89-year-old Wyn Finlayson from Perth as Volunteer of the Year for 2013. For the past 24 years, Wyn has been a supporter and volunteer with Compassion Australia. Check out the video below to find out a bit more about Wyn’s passion to see children released from poverty.
I reckon if Wyn can keep finding new ways to release children from poverty then we can all find ways to be part of the bigger solution. If you see injustice and then throw your hands up saying, “What can I do?”, let me encourage you to look to Wyn for inspiration. If you have a will to make change you’ll find a way.
Melissa French, Compassion’s Child Advocate Network Coordinator, says Wyn has become an inspiration to all 120 staff and over 2500 volunteers of Compassion Australia and doesn’t let age stand in the way of her passion for volunteering.
“When age began making it difficult for Wyn to be as active as she once was, she decided to start selling homemade jam—made from a recipe passed down from her mother—to raise money for Compassion’s work.
“Wyn uses every opportunity to speak to people in her sphere of influence including her butcher, hairdresser and her doctor! Younger volunteers are often overheard saying ‘my aim is to be like Wyn Finlayson’.”
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I am very moved by your article as well as the interview. And agreed, I also sometimes feel overwhelmed at how much other do and how little (in comparison) I do. I think that in managing all of the things that need to be done, all the commitments and the priorities, readings such as this really bring it home and serve to act as timely reminders that anything that we do – no matter big or small – goes a massive way to helping someone else less fortunate.
Thanks Rodney.
Great read Rodney. Wyn was just interviewed on Perth Nine News last night too!
http://ow.ly/jefUO