Ask young Tierney Jasper what she wants to be when she grows up and chances are she will say a vet. While that decision may change over the years, one thing is certain - the eight-year-old Hobart schoolgirl will end up in a humanitarian role.

In May, Tierney embarked on a charity walk-a-thon to raise funds for sick children at her local Ronald McDonald House. She was inspired by nothing more than a burning desire to help children less fortunate than herself.

The bold schoolgirl trudged for 60km over two days from one Hobart McDonald's restaurant to another and raised nearly $5000. Parents of the young philanthropist, Grant and Stephanie Jasper, were not surprised their daughter took on such a physically daunting challenge to help others.

"Tierney has always been a child who has thought of others," Stephanie says. "She wanted to do something like this walk for quite a while. Then one day she said to me 'Mum, I want to help children who aren't as lucky as me. I can sit inside and watch TV, or I can walk out the door and do something.' It was as simple as that."

Once the very long distance was determined, Tierney's parents were a bit concerned that the trek would prove too much for their daughter. Tierney, herself, was also concerned that she might let down the hundreds of people who had sponsored her to walk 60km over two days.

On the first day, Tierney set off with a steely resolve. By sundown she had walked a massive 36km. One hour for lunch was her only break. The last eight kilometres were particularly tough for the school girl, who at one point sat weeping with pain by the side of the road.

But there was no way she was going to stop. "People have paid me to walk," she told her parents, who told her that she had already done a good enough job.

The following day a determined Tierney set off once again. By the time she reached her destination a huge crowd had gathered to cheer her on.

Penny Richardson, House Manager at the Hobart Ronald Donald House, which will benefit from Tierney's fundraising efforts, joined her for the last 10km.

"I'm passionate about children and the wellbeing of children, and the metaphor of the pain she put herself through in order to help sick children is really touching," Penny says. "She really pushed herself beyond the pain threshold which is so inspirational and motivating."

The $5000 raised has not yet been allocated, but Tierney would like to see it spent on turning the existing sittting room at the Hobart Ronald McDonald House into emergency overnight accommodation that could be used by families in need.

"We've often talked about what Tierney could end up doing when she grows up and we wouldn't bat an eye if she ended up in a shanty town in Ethiopia helping those in need, or as a UN ambassador," Stephanie Jasper says. "It's just the kind of kid she is."

 

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