Boy’s tear-jerking act to help disabled child walk

When nine-year-old Reegan Pellowe started collecting cans to earn money, his mother Cherie never thought it would turn into an adorable act of kindness.

Caboolture nine-year-old Reegan Pellowe is collecting cans and bottles to raise money for sick children. Photo: Luke Simmonds.

What started out as tough love from Caboolture mum Cherie Pellowe to teach son Reegan a life lesson quickly, turned it into a remarkable act of kindness.

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“He wanted to buy a go kart so we said ‘you need to find a chore and work toward it’,” Cherie said.

It sparked a “light bulb” moment in Reegan’s young mind which led him to collecting cans in exchange for 10 cents from the new Containers for Change State Government program.

But mum Cherie said his motivation quickly turned when he saw a charity fundraiser for sick children overseas.

Caboolture nine-year-old Reegan Pellowe is collecting cans and bottles to raise money for sick children. Photo: Luke Simmonds.

Reegan decided to support Choice Passion Life (formerly Cerebral Palsy League) instead, given his younger brother Hudson suffers from the same condition.

“We travel everywhere to pick up cans for him,” Cherie said. “Today for instance, we’ve driven to Woodford, Petrie, Kallangur and Morayfield.

“He said ‘there are sick kids who need that money’.

“He spends hours boxing them up and then writes how much is in them to keep track of what he needs.”

Caboolture boy Reegan Pellowe, 9, collected cans to raise money for Choice Life Passion client Layee Sheriff, 4, who has a disability.

Reegan eventually raised $295 to buy a special table for four-year-old CPL client Layee Sheriff, who is non-verbal, struggles to walk and has down syndrome.

The table will help Layee to learn to stand and strengthen his spine as he gets older.

“We went down to Mt Gravatt to hand it over and Reegan played for one and a half hours with (Layee),” Cherie said.

“There was no judging on his behalf. There were tears all around.”

CPL fundraising relationship manager Melinda Ledwith said Reegan’s fundraising had a huge impact on the Sheriff family.

“Our goal is to create an inclusive society for all, and with incredible people like Reegan by our side, we are certainly on our way to achieving that,” she said.

Reegan has already started collecting cans for his next project.

Caboolture nine-year-old Reegan Pellowe is collecting cans and bottles to raise money for sick children. Photo: Luke Simmonds.