Trinity Catholic College student Matilda Howe (14) has been named Cancer Council NSW's Young Hero of the Year.

“I had no idea I would win,” Matlida said. “Mum kept it a secret from me at first, but I knew I was a finalist in the awards.

“It was nerve wracking and I had a tear coming out of my eye.”

Despite being so young, her work as a volunteer and supporter of the Cancer Council’s fundraiser Relay for Life has earned her a trophy and an even greater desire to help others. 

Matilda said she first got involved with Relay For Life a few years ago because her granddad had cancer and she wanted to help raise money for the cancer Council.

“The relay involved getting together sponsorship for our team to walk around the oval at Southern Cross University,” she said.

Matilda’s school had encouraged their students to get involved in community services, so she began the journey of finding a charity that fit just right.

After attending 2018’s Lismore & Villages Relay For Life, Matilda took it upon herself to get involved with the Cancer Council and hasn’t looked back. 

Since then, she has been heavily involved in serving her community and has supported numerous Cancer Council NSW events across multiple committees. 

Now, Matilda is an integral member in both the Lismore & Villages Relay For Life and the Stars of Lismore organising committees, where she volunteers her time to attend regular event coordination meetings and fundraising efforts.

Matilda and Lismore & Villages Relay For Life chair Leanne Thompson.

 She can often be seen selling raffle tickets or lending a helping hand at any number of fundraising functions including at this year’s Lunch in the Country Luncheon. 

“Being part of the organizing committee is so much work, but I really enjoy it” Matilda said.

“You see what happens behind the scenes and you get to meet so many people.

“The amount of stress involved was crazy.”

Matilda’s even leant a helping hand to her neighbours in Ballina when she volunteered at their Relay For Life event earlier this year as Cancer Council’s famous mascot, Dougal Bear. 

“It was a really hot day and I was wearing a furry suit and could hardly see anything,” she laughed. “I’m glad I didn’t fall over.”

Matilda said she loves helping out, doing whatever is needed, because she gets to be her own boss.

“People trust you,” she said.

“I learned so many new skills and I got more confident going up to people I haven’t met before and talking to them.

“It pushed me out of my comfort zone.

“I have anxiety that comes and goes and I think what I’m doing is helping me to overcome it.”

With a few years of school still ahead of her, Matilda said she’s still not sure what she wants to do with her life.

“Sometimes I think I want to be a police officer, or work for the Cancer Council in Byron Bay.”

Her mum Deb said Matilda’s reliability, passion and skills make her perfect for event management.

Matilda encourages people to get involved with next year’s Relay For Life, to be held in March.

“People can register their teams of any number of people,” she said.  

Matilda was nominated for the Cancer Council award by Lismore & Villages Relay For Life chair Leanne Thompson – who Matilda said has been a huge support to her, along with her mum Deb.

“I’m so pleased to have been given the opportunity to nominate Matilda for this award, we are very proud of her efforts and know she will continue to do great things,” Leanne said.

Cancer Council NSW provides numerous support services to the Northern Rivers community and relies on the fundraising efforts of the community to operate.

The Cancer Council Information Service - run by volunteers – is based at Lismore’s St Vincent’s Hospital and provides the local community with personal support and access to helpful information. 

Lismore’s Transport to Treatment is a key service in the community that provides free transport for patients to reach their local treatment centres. 

As well as these, the Lismore community can also access In-Home Support, Pro bono financial and legal advice, accommodation services, Cancer Support Groups and the Cancer Council’s hotline 13 11 20. 

For more information or to register a team in the Relay For Life, visit http://www.relayforlife.org.au/lismore or visit Facebook for updates at http://www.facebook.com/RelayForLifeLismoreVillages