Campaigning for world leaders to act on climate change since she was 15 years old.
Driving home from a shopping trip one winter’s day, Bethany looked out the window and spotted someone on the street asking for help. Bethany was just 5 years old, but she knew she could help. Her first thought was that she wanted to crack open her piggy bank and give all her money away. But Bethany soon realised she could make a bigger difference by giving up time instead of money.
When she got home that evening, she decided to make goodie bags to donate to homeless people. She wanted the bags to be called ‘Bethany’s Happy Bags,’ hoping they would bring a smile to those who received them. Bethany and her mother set up a Facebook page called ‘Bethany’s Happy Bags for the Homeless.’ The page told people what donations they needed and where to drop donations off. It also had a link to an Amazon Wish List.
Every day, stacks of Amazon boxes and donations were delivered on their porch. One day, they received 85 Amazon packages! Bethany and her mother bagged the items and put a little handwritten note and drawing into the bags. They also worked with a centre for autism, inspiring other children to help bag up the donations. Once bagged, Bethany and her mother drove the bags to homeless charities and shelters.
In 2021, Bethany and her mother gave out 1,830 Happy Bags. They have also received messages from people all over the world asking how they can help and what they can do to accomplish the same thing. Bethany’s mother and change-making partner says, ‘No matter who you are, no matter what you have or don’t have, you’re always able to help other people.’
Campaigning for access to clean water for Canada’s indigenous communities since she was 8 years old.
Raising awareness of the effects of the Syrian civil war and calling for peace since she was 6 years old.
Challenging the representation of girls and women in society since she was 11 years old.
Running a marathon in 10 days to raise money for homeless people when he was 7 years old.
Fundraising for the farmers whose incomes have been affected by drought in Australia since he was 11 years old.
Inspiring girls to learn about and aspire to work in science and technology subjects since she was 16 years old.
Creating and growing a bank that helps children save money by recycling since he was 12 years old.
Designing technology to supply electricity and water without emitting greenhouse gases since he was 15 years old.
Campaigning for the banning of plastic bags in Bali since they were 10 and 12 years old.
Designing a solar powered ironing cart to reduce charcoal burning in India since she was 12 years old.
Petitioning for schools to give children reusable water bottles since he was 7 years old.
Campaigning for people and businesses to stop using single-use plastics since they were 10 and 12 years old.
Set up organisations supporting cancer patients, people in poverty, and promoting golf in young black girls, since she was 10 years old.
Saving the lives of hundreds of hedgehogs in the UK since they were 9 years old.
Campaigning to promote proper battery disposal and recycling since he was 10 years old.
Campaigning for people and businesses to stop using single-use plastics since they were 10 and 12 years old.
The world’s youngest sustainability advocate – working to make the world a better place since she was 3 years old.
Solving the problem of water contamination using science and technology since she was 11 years old.
