Mimi giving Guide Dogs a paw up

Most 10-year-olds have a long wish list for birthday presents – but not Bray Park’s Mimi Nelson.

Instead of gifts for her birthday in June, the Strathpine West State School Year 5 pupil asked friends and family to donate money to a special cause.

An ambassador for Guide Dogs Queensland, Mimi raised $500, and now she’s got her sights set on reaching $1500.

Special guest

To help the cause along, Mimi paid a visit to the Friendly Grocer at Strathpine on Friday, bringing along two-year-old support dog in training Michael to inspire customers to donate to the cause.

“My mum and I have a business called How to Help where we help people learn how to help other people,” Mimi says.

Mum Stacey MacMillan White says she found there were few volunteering opportunities available for young children and she and Mimi were excited to discover Guide Dogs had launched a Youth Ambassador program.

Raising awareness

“I’m a big dog lover,” Mimi says.

“This is a good way to raise some money for Guide Dogs and some awareness.”

Mimi says $1000 helps Guide Dogs Queensland provide training and support services for a child with vision loss and their family.

“Guide Dogs is a really good organisation – they have canes and other things to help blind people and they give dogs to blind people,” she says.

“It is only with the support of the community that Guide Dogs can continue to give Queenslanders with vision loss the opportunity for freedom and independence.

“That is why I have chosen to put my paw up and fundraise for Guide Dogs.”

How you can help

To help Mimi reach her goal, the Friendly Grocer at Strathpine and David Deane Real Estate have collection boxes for donations, or you can donate online here.

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