Moreton Bay Regional Community Response founder Jesse Kelly a hero for the homeless

JESSE KELLY enjoyed a perfectly ordinary upbringing, never disadvantaged, but at just 15 he decided to dedicate his life to helping those who are.

MOST would have forgiven Jesse Kelly for indulging in the comforting carelessness that his age allows.

He enjoyed a perfectly ordinary upbringing just north of Brisbane, never disadvantaged, but at just 15 years old Jesse decided to dedicate his life to helping those who are, co-founding a charity for the homeless and disadvantaged from his family’s home office in Burpengary.

Five years on and Moreton Bay Regional Community Response has helped tens of thousands of people, from providing meals and housing assistance to booking appointments.

Jesse Kelly, nominated for the Young Leader and Community Spirit medals. Picture: Tara Croser

Along the way, Jesse qualified as a counsellor to improve his service.

“Age is just a number. Someone’s ability is where their aspirations lie,” he said.

The 20-year-old, now the charity’s managing director, works 15-hour days handling 150 volunteers and servicing 4000 disadvantaged people every month on top of working a corporate day job.

NOMINATE A HERO HERE

His parents, Pauline and Darren Kelly, nominated him for the Pride of Australia Young Leader medal, sponsored by Nova 106.9, and the Community Spirit medal, sponsored by Nine Network Queensland.

“Jesse gives every free moment to supporting the community and every single dollar he has spare,” Mrs Kelly said. “He’s been the unspoken unsung hero of the charity”.

Jesse hopes that by the time he turns 30 his charity will sit on par with worldwide charity successes such as St Vincent De Paul.

“I’ll never stop doing this,” he said.