When Year Five student, William Anderson at Kingsthorpe, heard about drought and bushfires in the Granite Belt region he set himself a goal to help and raise funds for drinking water.
William, just 10 at the time, set up his Facebook page William's Water Drive which was well received not only by people wishing to donate water but money as well.
Next he set up his own "GoFundMe' page for those who wished could donate money, with a goal to raised $500.
William collected three pallets of water ranging from 600mL to 10 litre bottles from local businesses, achieving his $500 goal with some help from family and friends on his 11th birthday.
He worked with the local charitable organisation Granite Belt Water Relief which has been formed due to the critical need to provide residents with clean drinking water in the district.
William used his $500 to buy bulk drinking water and it was trucked in a tanker to the Granite Belt.
Then, with the help of his parents Luke and Bethany who borrowed a trailer, the family delivered three pallets of water to Granite Belt Water Relief.
While delivering that trailer-load and hearing locals stories William became more eager than ever to start phase two of the water drive, setting another $500 goal.
He has since had further donations of water and he plans to deliver a second load in the next couple of weeks.
I had a blast and it certainly left me with a good feeling
- William Anderson
William certainly earned a place in the hearts of the Granite Belt Water Relief who posted this birthday message to William on its Facebook page for his 11th birthday.
"While most 10 year old's spent their school holidays worrying about where they were going, what games to play or what movies to go and see, this young boy decided to start a water drive and help the residents on the Granite Belt," the post said.
"William's Water Drive was the brainchild of young Kingsthorpe resident William, and with the help of his family and so many people and businesses in and around Kingsthorpe, the Gierke family made their way to the Granite Belt with three huge pallets of water.
"When they left our town William assured me it would not be last we see of him - he was going home to start all over again.
"What a champion, and to top it off, it's his 11th birthday."
- Read 99 more inspiring stories like William's in "100 Stories of Hope" in Queensland Country Life next week.
Helen Walker
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
