Ty's a top volunteer

Ty Belnap is pictured at the Caloundra Community Kindergarten where he volunteers as an all-round helper.

The Sunshine Coast’s Ty Belnap is the kind of man who inspires other volunteers — and everyone around him.

Ty does yoga, works part-time, supports conservation issues, plays tennis and swims, representing Australia numerous times and holding world records.

He is one of four recipients of a Down syndrome international award for outstanding self advocacy, which he will receive at the organisation’s world conference in South Africa next year when he attends as a guest speaker.

A volunteer surf life saver with Mooloolaba SLSC, he was the first person with Down syndrome to achieve surf life saving’s Bronze Medallion and is a rescue boat crewman on patrol, helping save three people from the surf earlier this year.

But it’s at the Caloundra Community Kindergarten where he’s on top of the world.

Director Kendall Storti says Ty, pictured here at the kindy, is a wonderful volunteer who’s been at kindy almost every Friday for seven years.

“The children adore him and staff members regard him as an extra teacher,” she says.

“Ty is involved in every aspect of our services including setting up activities, playing games and running errands.

“He reads to the children and helps write cards for their parents and mentors them in so many ways.

“As a fitness fanatic he chats to them about good food and healthy eating.

“We cannot get enough volunteers so we have to look after him — the children have taken ownership of a roster where one of them brings his lunch each week.”

The 32-year-old says the children make him happy. “I look forward to having fun with the kids,” Ty says. “I like helping the other workers and reading to the kids and laughing with them. I especially enjoy the lunches they bring me.”

Perhaps the last words should to go Ty’s younger sister, Makaila: “Ty has taught me the value of compassion, acceptance, loyalty, determination, self belief and unconditional love. He is my hero, my friend, my inspiration and my heart.”

To find out more about volunteering, or to sign up, call Volunteering Queensland 3002 7600 or go to
www.volunteeringqld.org.au