12-year-old Tyler Johnson taking steps to raise money for Fred Hollows Foundation

A Busselton Primary School student is putting his best foot forward for the community, raising money for those less fortunate one step at a time. 12-year-old Tyler Johnson is a passionate Busselton local taking part in the Fred Hollows Foundation walk-a-thon in March, hoping to raise $3000 for the charity. The West Australian junior ambassador for the not for profit group is aiming to walk 10,000 steps everyday for two weeks, telling the Busselton-Dunsborough Times “every cent helps”. “All humans and animals deserve to be healthy and safe and unfortunately that’s not how the world works — I am lucky that I am able to help even if it’s only a little bit, every cent helps,” he said. “Knowing there are so many people and animals out there that don’t get to live a happy, healthy and safe life motivates me to help because I think we all deserve to have that.” No stranger to the task, Tyler first took part in the walk-a-thon last year when he raised $1400 for Saving Animals From Euthanasia Busselton and was shocked by the community’s generosity. “I learnt that people are very generous ... and to be prepared with comfortable and supportive shoes,” he said. “I got donations from people including strangers from all across Australia and even New Zealand, I also got to talk to other people who raise money for charities like I do.” He hopes this year will be bigger and better than the last. “This year we aren’t just putting it on social media but I also wrote a letter and have been walking around to local businesses with my mum and asking if they will support me,” he said. Tyler’s mother Nerissa said she was in “awe” of her son’s compassion. “In all honesty it’s just in his nature for his first thoughts to be how he can help others,” she said. “I am in awe at how passionate he is about it but I am not surprised, everyone that knows Tyler knows that he will do anything to help anyone who needs help.” To donate to Tyler’s cause visit https://fundraise.hollows.org/fundraisers/tylerjohnson.