The highlight of any birthday, Christmas or event for children is usually the presents. However, two Canberra girls decided to dedicate their last couple of birthdays to help those in need. Instead of clothes, toys and goodies, twins Ellie and Asher Barclay asked their friends and families for pet supplies to help animals in the ACT region.

From a dog-themed birthday party to helping the pooches and cats of our region, the generous twins turned last year’s pooch-themed party into a party for pups, asking all attendees to bring items that could be donated to local pet charities, Rainbow Paws and ACT Rescue and Foster (ARF).

“We thought what are two really good organisations that help dogs. Rainbow Paws was one and ARF was the second one. When we talked about it, we wanted to look at organisations who might not get as many donations as the RSPCA, for example, they might not be as well known. They’re also quite local,” explains proud mum Michelle Barclay.

This year, for their big 10 birthday, the twins opted for a magical Hogwarts-themed party but still wanted to help animals. To fit with the theme, cats were the chosen pet as they’re one of the animals kept by Hogwarts students.

“On our invitations, we asked our friends, instead of presents to give us donations, and luckily they actually listened, and they gave us heaps of donations,” says Asher.

“Some of our friends still got us presents,” smiles Ellie.

While neither girl would like a pet cat, they do want to help those who have them. Loading up Mum’s car with all the food, toys, bowls, collars and cat litter they received, they headed to meet with Rainbow Paws, the chosen recipient.

“It is going to help them by making sure they have enough food and toys,” says Ellie.

The local animal welfare organisation understands that pets play an important role in their owner’s overall wellbeing and that doing it tough doesn’t mean you should have to be without your animal companion. Linda Norris, Rainbow Paws marketing and events coordinator, says that every donation they receive helps to make a difference.

“We distribute 50 kilos of cat food each week, 100 kilos of dog food each week to community pantries. So, all the food the girls have got together, it’s going to go out to cats whose owners are struggling and doing it tough. Those cats will have full tummies and maybe some toys to play with,” says Linda.

Distributing goods to 16 community pantries across the ACT, Rainbow Paws accepts all types of cat and dog food that is in date. Linda says they were thrilled that the twins wanted to donate to them for a second year.

“We’re incredibly grateful for what you’ve done, and we’ll have that food out the door and in the pantries within a week to feed those cats,” says Linda.

Michelle says she couldn’t be prouder of her girls.

“The fact that they did it last year and then have done it for a second year in a row instead of getting presents, when as a kid there’s no way I would forego presents to do donations, but I think it just goes to show what sort of humans they are.”

She says the day after their party, the twins were already discussing about who to donate to next year, and hopes it encourages some of their friends to do the same.

It’s not just four-legged beings the twins help; they also donate a portion of their pocket money to a sponsor child. Generosity runs in the family. In 2020, Michelle received a Westfield Local Hero Award for her work as a lawyer at Canberra Community Law, and says that, as a family, they always look for ways to help the community.

“They’re good kids anyway and they’re very mindful that other people are doing it really tough and they always want to see how they can help out.”

While she says she didn’t have to do anything to encourage her children’s generosity, Michelle suggests being open about how other people may be living and ways to help could raise awareness in younger generations and nurture a sense of community.

“It’s just thinking about how you can help other people within whatever your family can do. Some families can do a lot more than other families and it could be volunteering your time. It could be fostering a dog or just small things like donating to a pantry,” says Michelle.

For the twins, packaging and delivering the presents is a joy. Ellie says their dog Marley was so excited with all the cat goods, they had to hide them from her. The feeling of helping someone else is the best gift these young twins want.

“You don’t really need presents to survive, some animals do, some people really need it. If you give it to people, it makes you feel really good knowing that you’re helping someone who really needs it,” says Asher.

To follow in the pawprints of Ellie and Asher and find out how you can help animals through Rainbow Paws, visit rainbowpaws.org