Young philanthropist Tia gets wheels rolling, inspires acts of kindness

At just 10-years-old, Tia Brennen is proof that it’s never too early to start helping your community.

CEO of Wests Campbelltown Tony Matthew and 11 year old Tia Brennen, who started a charity to collect old bikes, repair them and give them to the underprivileged. Picture: Robert Pozo

• Tia Brennen collects and fixes unwanted bikes
• Tia donates mother’s day presents
• How kind are you? Try our quiz
• Fading sight doesn’t stop RSPCA helper

At just 11-years-old, Tia Brennen is proof that it’s never too early to start helping your community.

The Minto resident is yet to reach high school, but has already founded her charity — Tell Tia For Charity — through which she collects and repairs second-hand bikes before donating them to needy children.

Tia hopes to be an example of how even the smallest and youngest citizens can make a difference on Do Something Day on July 19.

An initiative of NewsLocal, ClubsNSW and the Do Something charity, the initiative aims to promote volunteering and charity work and inspire random acts of kindness.

With the support of the Wests Leagues Club, Leumeah, Tia will run a bike drive from Monday to Friday, July 17 to 21.

All bikes donated to Wests Leagues Club during this time will be passed on to Tia for rejuvenation, before being distributed throughout the community.

Wests Group chief executive officer Tony Mathew said Tia had the full support of the club. “Supporting the local community is a key objective of the Wests Group,” he said.

“In an effort to support Tia with her recycled bike project, Wests encourages the community to donate bikes to be passed on to the Brennan family for rejuvenation.

Minto youngster Tia Brennen(10), who has her own charity called " Tell Tia for Charity ".

“We wish Tia the best of luck in her endeavours and are honoured to assist Tia in her goal to donate to those less fortunate.”

On July 13, Tia will also work alongside disabled residents to wash and fix bikes at a ShareCare workshop. Mum Clarissa said Tia started collecting unwanted and run-down bicycles for repair at the start of last year, and had gained great community support. “I saw all these bikes at the rubbish bins and I asked my mum if I could take the bikes home,” Tia said. “I wanted to give the bikes to kids that need them.

“I like riding my bike and I thought others should have fun too. My bike’s name is Storm Fly. “I feel very proud of myself and happy that kids are able to do the same thing as me; I’m helping children get healthy and go outdoors.”

Her family say they are extremely proud of Tia’s generous spirit. “She thinks kids can make a difference and she thrives ion community work, ”Mum Clarissa said. “She just wants to do her part.”

Post your pictures to social media on DoSomething Day.

WHAT IS DO SOMETHING DAY?

Do Something Day on July 19 is Australia’s biggest celebration of volunteering in our communities, recognising the extraordinary contributions made by everyday locals. It seeks to inspire people to make a difference and give back by volunteering, making a donation or carrying out a simple random act of kindness.

HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?

There are endless ways you can help others - and you don’t need to wait until Dosomething Day to start. However, as July 19 is the focal point of this celebration, it would be great to turn your attention to it on that day. Let the “kind-o-miser” generate a kind deed sugestion for you to do. Try our Do Something Day Quiz which will help match you with a charity that reflects your ideals.

ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Tweet, Instagram or Facebook a picture that captures the spirit of kindness and generosity on Do Something Day - and use the hashtags #dosomethingday and #giveyourbest. It could be a picture of a volunteers at charity you are already involved with. It could be a picture acknowleding someone in your community who selflessly works for others. It could be a snap of the nice person who serves your coffee every day with a smile. so many ways to to acknowledge the kindness in our community.