© Can Stock Photo / bennymarty© Can Stock Photo / bennymarty
Windsor

Cottam family raising money for Australia

From the time he could talk, Noah Anhorn wanted to be a marine biologist.

His family is very supportive, and for the past six years have been planning an eventual trip to Australia so Noah could swim with the sharks.

So, when reports began to surface of massive bushfires and the toll it was taking on the wildlife, he had to do something.

"It was hard to see it suffer like that, and think that it's not even going to be the same place when we finally make it," said his mother, Samantha Anhorn.

It was a post on Facebook warning that Koala Bears could be extinct because of the fires, that motivated Noah.

"He started to panic, and kind of cry, wanted to know what we could do," his mother remembered.

So, next Sunday, January 26, the family will hold a raffle. Cottam United Church donated the use of its hall, and "Make it Rain for Australia" will start at 1:30 p.m. until 4 p.m.

Local businesses have donated a number items for the raffle including gift certificates, date night baskets, quilts, baked goods, and even MIX 96.7 FM donated tickets to the local Dancing with the Stars.

The money will go to the firefighters in New South Wales.

"The ones that are on the front line fighting the fires, trying to put them out, and risking their lives to try and get the animals out. We want to send it all to them," said Anhorn.

Even at his tender age, Noah has a history of advocacy having planned a previous fundraiser for the World Wildlife Foundation last summer. The event named "Save the Sharks" raised $500.

He is already talking about hosting a kids run for nature to benefit the conservation group.

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