Wildlife warrior’s fundraiser takes the cake

At just eight years old, Jade O’Toole spent her school holidays a little differently to most children.

Instead of playing outside she set up a stall to raise money for a good cause.

As an animal lover, it was only fitting that Jade donated her takings to Greenough Wildlife Park.

“I want to be a vet when I’m older; I love animals and don’t like when they’re injured,” she said.

Jade did some baking and set up a stall to sell 60 cupcakes and two trays of brownies and cookies at her mum’s salon, raising $55.

Mother-of-two Jo O’Toole said despite being busy at work, she knew she had to help her daughter.

“I really needed to make this happen for her; there are not many kids in the world who want to help others,” she said.

“I didn’t have time to sit with her all day for a stall somewhere and we would’ve needed to apply for a permit so I let her set up her stall in my hair salon.”

Greenough Wildlife Park manager Michelle Jones said it was great to see someone so young taking initiative to raise money to help animals.

“It just shows what kind of person she is and hopefully she grows up to be a wildlife warrior,” she said.

“When you have people that young wanting to help the animals, it’s really important to us that we help them achieve that, so we’ve told her mum we’d love to support her however we can.”

Mrs O’Toole said she was bursting with pride at her daughter.

“I was so impressed that my little eight-year-old had done such a beautiful thing,” she said.