An eight-year-old boy from the regional New South Wales town of Googong has turned a Scouting badge challenge into a life-changing community project, raising enough money to provide emergency shelters for 15 homeless people in the Canberra region.
A Scout's Compassionate Mission
Darcy Uttley, a Joey Scout with the 1st Jerrabomberra Scout Group, was working towards his 'Creating a Better World' badge in late 2025. When asked what he wanted to do, the young boy had a clear and ambitious goal: help homeless people. His mother, Leah Uttley, recalled the moment her son declared he wanted to build houses for them. While she explained that was beyond their capacity, she encouraged him to find another way.
Together, Darcy and his family researched and discovered Backpack Beds for the Homeless, an award-winning Australian-designed product. Created by Tony and Lisa Clark, each Backpack Bed is a lightweight backpack that converts into an all-seasons shelter with a built-in mattress, costing $144 per unit. After watching videos about the product and the people it helps, Darcy and his brother Alex were deeply moved. "The boys were close to tears about how hard these people's lives were but also what a big difference the Backpack Beds made," Leah said.
Community Rallies Behind a Big Heart
Determined to make a difference, Darcy launched a two-pronged fundraising campaign. He organised a guess-the-number-of-lollies competition and began selling kilos of homemade playdough. The effort gained incredible momentum when his mother posted an appeal on the popular Canberra Community Notice Board. The local response was overwhelming.
Within just two weeks, Darcy had raised $2200 – enough to purchase 15 Backpack Beds. The speed and generosity of the donations surprised even Darcy, demonstrating the community's strong desire to support practical solutions for homelessness.
Inspiring a New Generation of Compassion
Backpack Beds founder Tony Clark hailed Darcy as "a true inspiration." "For an eight-year-old child to see the problem that no Australian should be sleeping on our streets, and to then actively raise enough funds to protect 15 forgotten Australians is the very spirit that Australia needs," Mr Clark said. He praised Darcy for paving the way for the next generation to show compassion and demand that nobody be left behind.
For Leah Uttley, sharing the story was a way to highlight the positive impact of the Scouting movement and to thank the Canberra community for its overwhelming generosity. When asked what he gained from the experience, Darcy's answer was simple and profound: "I got my badge and a big heart." His project, sparked by the simple desire to earn a Scout badge, has provided warmth, security, and dignity to 15 vulnerable people, proving that age is no barrier to creating meaningful change.
