He may only be a few feet tall but 12-year-old Campbell Remess has a heart the size of the world.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The pint sized Tasmanian, otherwise known as ‘Bumble’, has touched hearts across the globe by creating his own charity.
When he was just nine-years-old, Campbell decided he wanted to help out sick children in hospital at Christmas by buying them presents.
After his parents told him it would be too expensive to buy something for every child, he decided he would make the gifts himself.
And from that one small idea, Campbell created a movement.
Project 365 by Campbell has seen him become an award-winning, international sensation with almost 30,000 people following him on Facebook.
“It’s awesome. I didn’t think it would be this big,” Campbell said.
“I love doing it. Especially when I get to take the bears into the hospital and I can actually pass it to the person and see their reaction.”
For the first two years of his project, Campbell made a teddy bear every single day.
Each bear was dedicated to a special cause or a person in need.
From families in Launceston to children in Hobart, Campbell always has his sewing machine ready for someone who is struggling.
Last year, when tragedy struck in Paris and Tasmanian Emma Parkinson was shot during a terror attack, Campbell wanted to help.
As soon as the news spread to Tasmania, he was getting a ‘Comfort Emma’ bear ready to send over to a Paris hospital.
With a little help from Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Campbell managed to send a total of six bears to Paris for Emma and other victims of the terror attack.
Another creation, ‘Duke’ the bear, was for five-year-old Duke Marcello from Smithton who was in a critical condition after being hit by a motorcycle.
Emma and Duke’s bears were just two of hundreds Campbell specially made and it was only the beginning of his journey to becoming the star he is today.
This year alone he has already created more than 450 bears and raised almost $9,000.
“I’ve made lots and lots. I think about 800 bears [in total] and 400 other gifts,” Campbell said.
His passion for helping others earned him the People's Choice title at the Tasmanian Community Achievement awards this month and the 2016 Young Citizen of the Year at the City of Clarence Australia Day Citizens Awards.
From television appearances on the Today Show to radio interviews, Campbell’s work has seen him recognised by media across the country.
His rise to fame has not been limited to Australia however, with world-renowned comedian and television host Ellen DeGeneres said to have asked him for an interview.
The Ellen Show contacted the family through the Project 365 Facebook group and Campbell said he had already done a skype interview with the show’s producers.
Although it’s not confirmed if or when he will make an appearance on Ellen, there’s no denying Campbell’s celebrity status is stronger than ever.
His mum Sonya Whittaker said even though his fame was growing, his mission remained the same.
“I’m really proud of how he handles it,” she said.
“He is oblivious to fame, it’s not important to him. He’s just really grateful for all of the support.”
She said he simply had a “generous soul”.
“He’s just grown up to be a nurturer, he’s just selfless and so thoughtful.”
The proud mum said the project had already exceeded all of their expectations.
“It’s just incredible, if you’d asked me three years ago I would have told you I knew he could reach his goal but I wasn’t sure he would do it for a second year,” she said.
“To be here, three years later, and see how his skills have grown and see what he’s done, it’s just crazy.”
While Sonya said she wasn’t sure where the project would go in the future, Campbell has assured his followers he wants to keep “doing it forever”.
“I do think it will grow,” Sonya said.
“He’s got some ideas of what he wants to do to add to the project. But I think he will mostly just keep doing what he’s doing.”
She said even when Campbell broke his arm recently he didn’t want others to take over the workload.
“I think he likes to do it himself and it will always just be his project.”
Campbell’s drive to help others isn’t limited to his project however, with the young philanthropist already planning his future career.
“I’d like to be a firefighter,” he said.
“Because it’s a cool job and I can help people.”
For now though, he will keep working on his creations and trying to raise as much money as he can, he said.
In order to expand the project, Campbell has been trying to save money to purchase a laser cutter.
“[It] will help me make bears quicker and will mean I can make puzzles and other things for kids,” he said.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Campbell and has seen almost $19,000 donated so far.
If you know of somebody in need of a bear or to follow Campbell’s journey visit his Facebook page or website.