Ten-year-old Finley Elias may live near New Jersey in the USA that but hasn't stopped her from raising around $25,000 for injured koalas housed at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
And her grandmother, Joanne Wilson, who lives in Wauchope, couldn't be prouder.
Finley said she was motivated to do something after seeing pictures of burnt and injured koalas during the recent bushfires.
After creating and designing a logo, Finley said she asked her mum - Katy Elias - what she should do next in order to start the fundraising process.
"I thought of making up a few t-shirts and hoodies and selling them to family and a few friends to fundraiser," Finley said.
"I was just trying to raise a few hundred dollars so I could send it to the koala hospital.
"My aim was to do something that would help Australia and help the koalas."
From that genesis, Finley was suddenly inundated with enquiries for the t-shirts, hoodies and tote bags.
Her school - and neighbouring schools - got involved with the effort These included Bayshore Middle School, and Lincroft Elementary School.
Other schools contributed through hosting pyjama days. - all fundraising for the cause.
The result was staggering with Finley raised around US$17,000 or around A$25,000.
"I am just very grateful to all the people who supported and helped me raise that much money," Finley said.
"I am very happy and I want this money to help burnt or injured koalas. I just hope they get better.
"If they can purchase some more watering stations and help create a really good, safe environment for the koalas that would be wonderful.
"I really can't believe how much money I was able to raise," she said.
"I'd also like to tell everyone in Australia that people here in the USA are thinking about you and all those injured and hurt koalas.
"I just wanted to show kindness toward Australia and to also let people know that everyone in the USA is really concerned about the koalas and their welfare.
Mrs Wilson said Finley is a regular visitor to Wauchope and always visits the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital.
"The hospital hods a special place for her," she said.
"Finley wanted to do something to help the koalas so set about designing a logo with the koala as centre piece, that was transformed onto t-shirts, hoodies and tote bags.
"Finley presented to her school assembly on numerous days and other schools picked up on her endeavours.
"Finley's lounge room became a factory.
"This dear little kind-hearted girl expected to make maybe $250.00 so as you can imagine she is so excited to have exceeded the $25,000," Mrs Finley said.
What else is making news?
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.
If you value local journalism, continue to support us and consider taking out a subscription. CLICK HERE for a 30-day free trial.