Youngster’s fundraising efforts for koalas goes global

After ‘falling in love’ with koalas on a trip to Melbourne last year, five-year-old Izzie Still has been raising money to help them through a series of fundraisers.

Following the wildfires in Australia which decreased koala numbers by tens of thousands, Izzie wanted to help her favourite animal.

Known as ‘the koala girl’ in Sawtry where the family live, strangers friends and relatives have all backed her campaign to help the animals.

Poor weather over didn’t dampen Izzie’s spirits as she held a socially distanced bake sale with sister Poppy (3) selling scones, cookies and other sweet treats.

Mum, Emma Wyse said: “The wind blew our gazebo over, so we continued our sales from inside.

“We made and sold over 250 freshly made scones and with people’s very generous donations Izzie raised £256 in one weekend! I had to put a bake on that same night to keep up!”

Not stopping there, the scones have gone down so well, Izzie took more orders for this weekend which has helped raise an additional £100. Using their own oven, which only bakes around 12 scones at a time, mum Emma has honed her baking skills having made over 250 scones for her little girl’s fundraising efforts.

Emma is delighted at her daughter’s commitment to the cause. She said: “I’m so proud of her. I thought the novelty might wear off, but she is getting more and more in to it.

“She wants constant updates on her page. She’s got the biggest heart, she is so caring. I asked Izzie ‘what do you call them all?’ As there isn’t a term for a group of koalas, Izzie said she calls them a cuddle! In the future she wants to rescue animals as a career, which I will support her with all the way.”

Izzie’s efforts have even gone global with many Facebook shares from Perth in Australia, and Izzie has received a special certificate from Caversham Wildlife Park in Western Australia to thank her for her hard work and dedication!

With more fundraising ideas to come Izzie wants to raise more than her original target of £500, which mum Emma thinks she will reach quite quickly.

To donate visit her JustGiving page

As a special treat for her fundraising, Emma will be taking her girls to Longleat Zoo in a few weeks so Izzie can, once again, see her favourite animals.