By Shelby Brooks
An enterprising 11-year-old has raised over $300 to help restore 10 children’s eyesights.
Pakenham’s Curtis Span is participating in Miracles Day, held 19 August by charity CBM Australia, which aims to raise enough money to fund 50,000 cataract surgeries to people living in the world’s poorest countries.
Curtis raised his donation from his wheelie bin cleaning business, which he began as a way to earn some extra pocket money last year.
“My mum said I had to start making my own money myself rather than just using her money,” he said.
He initially decided to clean bins because he thought there would be a high demand.
“It’s a really dirty job so I thought not many people would want to do it,” Curtis said.
But after learning about the charity CBM Australia, which works with overseas partners to deliver sight-saving cataract surgeries to people with severely compromised vision, Curtis decided he wanted to donate his earnings.
“I felt like what drew me to it was because I thought doing everything without sight would be super super hard,” Curtis said.
“I want to donate money so others can have sight. You wouldn’t like it if you were without sight and if I couldn’t see I wouldn’t be able to do a lot of things.
“There will be a bunch of kids whose life will be harder without a miracle.”
Curtis said he cleaned “a lot” of bins around the south east suburbs to raise the funds.
The grade 5 student from Maranatha Christian School in Officer might be sometimes grossed out by especially dirty bins, but he said it was worth it.
Mum Michelle said she was very proud of Curtis.
“He has a natural heart for others and is very compassionate but is also very business savvy,” she said.
To donation head to cbm.org.au or phone 131 226.
