Whangārei 10-year-old wins Fred Hollows Humanity Award

Skylar Coates from Hurupaki School, Whangārei, wins Fred Hollows Humanity Award. Photo / Tania Whyte

A Whangārei 10-year-old who is one of this year's Fred Hollows Humanity Award winners says she once sold her artwork to help raise money for the SPCA "when she was younger".

Hurupaki School year 5 student Skylar Coates has been recognised for going above and beyond to help others at a virtual ceremony last month, where she received the award.

Coates has been a regular contributor to the local SPCA in Whangārei from the age of four and wins this award following her cupcake sale at school to raise funds for the animal charity.

Mum Sharn Coates said Skylar had always been passionate about taking care of animals, and it all started at her animal-themed fourth birthday party celebration.

"For her birthday present she asked all her friends to bring dog and cat food instead of gifts (to donate to the SPCA). She has kept it going every year since then."

Skylar managed to bake a couple of hundred cupcakes for the fundraising, with some help from her mother and sister.

"I have been baking and selling cupcakes to raise money for a few years now. I always look forward to doing it every year," Skylar said.

When she was four, just before entering school, she auctioned her painting for the money to go towards the local SPCA.

"It is to help raise money for the animals they look after and to find homes for them."

At home, the young girl spent a lot of time taking care of her dog and two rabbits.

"I love animals. I like learning about them and will try and keep helping animals as much as I can," Skylar said.

She urged everyone to start doing something small to help the wider community that they were passionate about and raise money for what they felt was important and meaningful to them.

"Start simple, start small. Every little bit helps, it doesn't have to be massive. But when it all adds up together, it becomes significant,'' Skylar said.

"It is very important to be kind because when you show kindness to other people, they reflect the kindness to everybody else they meet, and the world becomes a very kind place. Kindness is very infectious and creates a ripple effect."

Whangārei's Skylar Coates has been a regular contributor to the local SPCA since she was four. Photo / Tania Whyte

Kelly-Anne Ujdur, who nominated Skylar for the award, said: "Skylar is a kind and caring student. She thinks of others and goes over and above to help people."

The Fred Hollows Humanity Awards, now in their third year in New Zealand, were inspired by legendary New Zealander and founder of The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ, the late Professor Fred Hollows.

The Awards are a global movement created to recognise passionate children striving to make the world around them better.

Kiwi eye surgeon Hollows dedicated his life to restoring sight to the needlessly blind, particularly in poorer countries.

Hollows restored sight to thousands of people around the world and trained countless eye doctors to do the same. He believed everyone, rich or poor, has the right to quality, affordable eye care. His work lives on today through The Fred Hollows Foundation.

The Awards recognised young New Zealanders who strive to make the world around them better and embody the values of compassion, integrity and kindness.

CEO Dr Audrey Aumua said the 10 young New Zealanders who received Fred Hollows Humanity Awards this year had shown the compassion, initiative and courage to take action to make the world better for others, encapsulating the qualities of Fred Hollows.