Inspiring Toowoomba 10-year-old helps city's homeless

FEW people can say they've helped 1000 homeless people over the course of their lifetime, but that's something 10-year-old Adrian Young can claim.

The Young family of Emily, mum Jen and Adrian (absent is dad Will) help the homeless of Toowoomba by making and donating care packages, Thursday, August 8, 2019. Picture: Kevin Farmer

FEW people can say they've helped 1000 homeless people over the course of their lifetime.

But at the age of 10, that's something Toowoomba's Adrian Young, with the help of his family, has done over the last two or so years.

Confronted by the sight of a man living rough a little over two years ago, the then eight-year-old came up with a heart-warming initiative, putting together care packs for the homeless.

Originally his idea, his younger sister Emily now helps out as well.

Together they piece together the packages and drop them off at Base Services in Toowoomba, or keep some in the car.

"If we see someone on the street we just hand them out to people," Adrian said.

"We make them so people feel like they're not left out and they're loved and cared for."

While the Youngs have been doing their bit to help those doing it tough, Adrian's mum Jennifer said more and more people were joining the ranks of Toowoomba's homeless.

"I actually think we've seen more homeless people in the street than we ever have before in recent time," she said.

"So at night time we will drive the streets and we will always see people setting up bedding. Back two years ago you didn't see as many but now there's a lot more and there's a lot more younger people that we've been seeing."

She said she was incredibly proud of her children.

"Now Emily's got a big involvement in (the project) as well. As a family we all get involved and put lots of effort in to make them," she said.

"But the fact that Adrian initially wanted to do it makes me incredibly proud."

Originally published as Inspiring Toowoomba 10-year-old helps city's homeless