Guardian angel: Uni student pays for school supplies for kids in need

A young woman and budding philanthropist has, for the last three years, funded hundreds of dollars worth of school supplies for children in need.

Wednesday morning marked the first day of school for students around Toowoomba.

But as thousands of students across the region headed into their classrooms for the first time in 2021, countless parents in economic distress faced fears of being unable to afford the essentials for their children.

27-year-old Cody Robinson knows what that’s like, so a few years ago she made a commitment to help our city’s students have the best schooling experience possible.

For the last three years, the social work and law student has funded hundreds of dollars worth of school supplies for children around Toowoomba, and this year launched a unique new initiative to help fund the necessities.

As the child of a single mum with four kids, Ms Robinson knows personally how difficult the back to school period can be.

“I never want anyone to feel like that,” she said.

Cody Robinson is raising funds for back to school through her Mystery Date with a Book Toowoomba project, Wednesday, January 27, 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“We never went to school without anything but I know there are lots of kids that do and that just breaks my heart.”

Ms Robinson used to fundraise herself, but for the last 12 months has donated all the profits from her Mystery Date with a Book initiative.

She buys books from op shops, wraps them in paper, includes a small blurb, and sells them across the state, using Facebook to garner attention and donations.

In collaboration with local schools, Ms Robinson donates money or vouchers, and the schools nominate families who don’t have the supplies they need.

This year is the first year she has personally helped individual families.

On the first day of school, she met with a number of families at Officeworks at 7am on the first day of school, and bought all the essentials for them.

To say Ms Robinson is a generous person would be an understatement.

For the last three years, she has asked her friends and family to donate to her cause in lieu of birthday presents, as her birthday lies just a week before the start of school

In the last 12 months she has generated a profit worth over $1000, and every cent has gone towards giving every student a fair go at school.

But there’s more to it than just a few students going without essentials.

With the impacts of the pandemic still hitting fever pitch, Ms Robinson has seen first-hand how dire the situation is in Toowoomba alone.

Books ready to send in Cody Robinson's Mystery Date with a Book Toowoomba project.

“With the decrease of Jobseeker around this time, it’s not a good time for people living below the poverty line,” she said.

“I think it’s absolutely disgusting that an individual like me is doing this work when the Government should be supporting people.”

While her cause has generated so much positive attention, and is only expected to keep growing, Ms Robinson said at the end of the day the most important thing is that she has made a positive impact on those she assists.

“I don’t really do it for a name for myself,” she said.

“I’m very shy so I get very nervous even just handing things to people

“It’s more about the faith in humanity for me.

“Seeing how nice and supportive the community is is so lovely.”

Ms Robinson can be contacted through the Mystery Date with a Book Toowoomba Facebook page.