Doin It For Rural Kids founder Jason Owens and his partner Bec and daughter Lyla. This is how their living room looks each year as they individually wrap each present that they will then hand deliver and donate to rural kids across multiple states.
Country music singer Jason Owen will this year be handing out a very special present to kids when he embarks on his annual road trip for the charity he founded, Doin it for Rural Aussie Kids.
The X Factor star has put together an inspirational activity booklet for kids entitled Yowie, along with his charity co-founder wife Becy. Apart from being an Australian folklore bush creature, Yowie also is an acronym for whom the booklet is targeting – Youth living in the Outback, Working hard to Inspire and Encourage.
Yowie features inspirational stories about 15 incredible Australians from all walks of life who grew up in rural and far off areas and thrived despite their personal challenges.
Jason will be handing out the booklet, toys and school supplies to isolated primary school children across NSW in early December along with a motivational talk.
“I always explain to kids how I grew up in tiny Albert, NSW, and managed to make my dream of being an entertainer come true, despite being the only child in an isolated town of just 12 people,” Jason says. “I went through struggles with PTSD following a motorbike accident when I was 11 which almost killed my dad and I.
“It also features how kids can turn to Kids Helpline to talk if they are struggling. I’ve always wanted kids in the bush to know that they can achieve anything they want in life despite their circumstances as long as they work hard and believe in themselves.”