Local school student Arjaan Pannu, who featured in The Examiner on March 19, has shown further initiative by conducting a fundraiser with friends for local wildlife, earning substantial amounts to support animals.
For the grade five term project at Carey Baptist College in Harrisdale, students had to create a community project.
“Arjaan Pannu, Araav Arya and Aarush Arya decided to conduct a fundraising event to raise money for W.A. Wildlife,” Arjaan’s mother Amberly said.
WA Wildlife drive positive change for wildlife and their habitats through action, science and advocacy, and are Australia’s busiest rescue-to-release wildlife organisation. Founded in 1998 as Native ARC Incorporated, they provide essential care to WA’s fauna, maintaining complete oversight on-site, from rescue to release.
In addition, the organisation provides veterinary hospitals and can be expected to be caring for 300-500 animals at any one time.
Ten-year-old Arjaan has attended many workshops at WA Wildlife and is very passionate about conservation and wildlife with the hopes of becoming a wildlife biologist when he grows up.
“As soon as our teacher told us about the community project, I was keen to do what I could to raise money for the amazing work they do. My parents and I have taken injured birds to WA Wildlife before and they have always helped, so I really wanted to give back,” Arjaan said.
“My friends Aarav and Aarush were keen to work together so with the help of our families, we all made items to sell.”
The three boys, with some support from Aarav and Aarush’s younger sister Ira, also made signs to raise awareness for their cause, as well as a brochure to hand out about what WA Wildlife do. They held the fundraiser at the Sikh Temple in Canning Vale, as both families have connections to the Sikh community and thought it would be the perfect place to hold the event, especially as the Sikh faith places much emphasis on humane treatment of, and respect for, animals.
Through the generosity of the community, the children raised $350.
When asked what they learned from their experience, Arjaan said it’s all about persistence.
“I have learned that you can always succeed if you have patience. I felt very proud and happy that we managed to raise $350 for WA Wildlife,” Arjaan said.
“I’ve learned that the money we raised can make an actual difference as it goes to help save animals,” Aarush said.
“I’ve learned a lot more about native animals and how they get looked after,” Aarav said.
WA Wildlife take in all native Australian animals that are injured and in need of help, including magpies, ducks, swans, turtles, possums, lizards, kangaroos and snakes.
