You never know what someone's going through": meet Sienna, the Year 11 student who ran 21km for young people experiencing homelessness.
This National Volunteer Week (18-24 May), we want to introduce you to one of the most impressive young people we have met in a long time.
Annie, our Fundraising and Community Engagement Coordinator, sat down with Sienna earlier this month, when her fundraising page had already climbed past $6,700, and she had just come off the back of receiving a letter from the Prime Minister. She was calm, warm, and completely matter-of-fact about the whole thing, which somehow made it more remarkable.
Sienna is 16, in Year 11, and plays netball, touch football, and runs. She also skis. Earlier this month she completed her first half marathon, the HOKA Half Marathon, running 21km to raise funds for Taldumande Youth Services.
We asked her about race day, the Prime Minister's letter, and why she thinks young people have more power than they realise.
Annie: At the time of this interview, you have raised $6,732 thanks to 82 supporters! What an incredible effort. Did you have a figure in mind when you started?
Sienna: Not really. I just thought maybe I should raise funds for them, like that could be a good initiative. But then I was watching more and more people donating and I felt so grateful. That you guys get to receive it. That was the part that got me.
Annie: Why Taldumande specifically?
Sienna: I've been volunteering with a community programme connected to Taldumande's work since Year 9. The cause just felt close to home. I really didn't realise how many young people in our area were affected until I got involved.
Annie: You'd never run more than 15km before race day. What were you thinking at the start line?
Sienna: There were so many start groups ahead of me. People were already finishing and I hadn't even started yet. I saw them crossing the line and I just really hoped I could be one of them.
Annie: What kept you going when it got tough?
Sienna: At that 15 or 16km mark, when there's only 5 or 6km left, it was really difficult. But I kept thinking: I've told everyone I'm doing this. I have to commit to it. It's a goal I set.
Annie: You wrote to the Prime Minister. What made you do that?
Sienna: I just wrote to him through his website to let him know what I was doing. I did not expect a reply, let alone an actual letter in the mail. He said what an amazing thing I was doing for such a good cause, and that more young people should give back to their community. I really did not expect that.
Annie: Local MPs have also taken notice. Has that changed how you see your own voice?
Sienna: When I started, I just thought about the fundraising and the impact it would have. But seeing other people recognise it too was pretty special. I think young people have a lot of power that they probably don't realise.
Annie: A lot of people assume homelessness is an adult issue. What would you say to that?
Sienna: It's definitely not. So many young people don't have the same opportunities as people I know. Just helping them out, even a little, I know it will make a difference.
Annie: What do you want other young people your age to take away from this?
Sienna: A lot of people have come up to me at school and said they're really proud that I'm raising funds for such a good cause, and that they want to help out and get more involved too. I feel like a lot of people should take more initiative and try to do stuff that helps out the community. You never know what someone is going through.
Annie: What's next for you and your advocacy work?
Sienna: I'd love to continue working with Taldumande. I definitely think fundraising is just the start of it, hopefully.
Sienna's fundraising page is open until 24 May. If you'd like to support her, follow this link: https://www.taldumande.org.au/campaign/25/21-km-marathon
