Special visit for Currumbin Wildlife Hospital’s newest junior ambassador Toby Mitchell

This young child was so inspired by the work of the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital he single-handedly set about raising as much money as he could after school and on the weekend.

CURRUMBIN Wildlife Hospital has made a dream come true for a young animal lover who was allowed behind the scenes for an extra special tour.

Toby Mitchell, 8, travelled 850 kilometres, all the way from Woronora Heights in NSW for his VIP visit and presented a cheque for nearly $2000 to the centre.

The Year 2 student spent the past few months single-handedly raising money for the wildlife hospital after he fell in love with it during a family holiday in June.

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Toby Mitchell, 8, learns the ropes from vet nurse Veronica Junca during a VIP tour of the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital. Picture Glenn Hampson

Toby’s mum Zoe said he had always been enthusiastic about animals, especially reptiles.

“We came to visit the sanctuary and he stood at the public viewing windows all day watching the staff work in the hospital. He just loved it,” she said.

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“When we got home he wanted to raise money and his goal was to get enough for a new surgical kit for the hospital, and then we made that and he wanted to make enough to buy two.”

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Toby hopes to be a wildlife vet when he grows up. Picture Glenn Hampson

Toby stayed up on school nights sewing pouches for the orphaned baby animals to feel secure in, and selling cupcakes on his weekends at his local Bunnings.

The youngster hopes to join the ranks at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital one day as he dreams of becoming a wildlife vet.

“I want to help animals,” Toby said.

He has now taken the first step by being declared a junior ambassador for the centre.

A Currumbin Wildlife Hospital spokeswoman said Toby’s donation would help some of the 11,000 wildlife animals, reptiles and birds that pass through the centre each year.