Kids support Invictus Games by writing letters to athletes for Do Something Day

WAR veteran athlete Garry Robinson lost a leg after a Blackhawk Helicopter crash in Afghanistan in 2010 but now he is a professional athlete. Campsie RSL has asked children to write letters of support to athletes as part of Do Something Day.

Invictus Games athlete Garry Robinson with Canterbury South Public School students (from left) Elizabeth Turner, 8, Georgia Scrivener, 9, Melia Antonopolous, 10, Alice Bursill Dickinson, 9, Elliot Foxlee, 8, and Beatrice Shimada, 9. Picture: David Swift

IT’S the little things that can make a big difference.

War veteran athlete Garry Robinson had his life change dramatically when he lost a leg after a Blackhawk Helicopter crash in Afghanistan in 2010.

Now he is a professional athlete.

After winning silver in the 50m freestyle at the Invictus Games four years ago, he is now preparing for competition in Sydney later this year.

And his biggest fans are the littlest people — who have come out of the woodwork to spur him on for gold.

In proof that it is the small things that can have big results, Campsie RSL asked students from 14 local schools to write letters of support to athletes as part of national volunteering initiative Do Something Day.

Competing at the Invictus Games has given Mr Robinson a purpose after spending two-and-a-half years in hospital recovering from his horrific injuries in the line of military duty.

“I had no idea what it was about, the hospital staff and my therapist filled out an application and put me up for archery, swimming and cycling,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“All I wanted to do was train and it showed me the old Garry was still there.”

This year he will be hoping to go even further having been cheered on by children writing him letters of encouragement.

Garry Robinson with Beatrice Shimada, 9, who has written a letter to encourage the athletes. Picture: David Swift

“As an RSL club, our focus is on wounded, injured veterans who need our support. It goes deep to the core of what we are,” group marketing manager Terry Starr said.

“Over the next month or two, we’ll have 400 letters of support and hand those to the Australian team in the lead up to the games.”

Canterbury South Public School assistant principal, Lannie Tran said about 90 students in years three and four were learning about the games and were keen to get involved.

“They researched competitors and are each writing to one person,” Ms Tran said.

“Resilience is one of our values and we have spoken about growth mentality and never giving up.”

Beatrice Shimada, aged nine, from Earlwood, is writing to Corporal Taryn Barbara.

“I’m a big athlete, she swims and I like swimming as well and I told her to go as fast as she could,” she said.

Do Something Day is on Wednesday, July 25. It celebrates making a contribution to the local community. You can do something by volunteering, donating or even a random act of kindness on the day.

* For more information, go to dosomethingday.com.au