My name is Adam, and this year I’ve been deeply inspired by my big brother David and his incredible wife Renae.

Alongside raising their own four children, they have just been approved to permanently foster three beautiful children — a decision that has changed all of our lives.

Earlier this year, my two youngest nieces started at a new school. On their very first day, they were welcomed by two girls, Tahlia (11) and Tiana (13), who quickly became their closest friends.

Not long after, we learned that Taliah and Tiana, along with their younger brother Andrew (8) and two older sisters (16 and 17 — yes, five siblings in total), were living in a group home. With no blood relatives able to care for them and no foster family willing or able to take them in together, they have spent years without the stability of a family.

In the group home, social workers rotate through shifts to keep the children safe and get them to school, but they are unable to provide consistent emotional support. All government funding allocated for the children goes directly to the group home. The kids share clothing and underwear and are often without clean clothes of their own.

When David and Renae learned about the children’s situation, they didn’t hesitate. They committed immediately to the long and demanding process of becoming approved foster carers for all five siblings. After months of disappointment and frustration within the foster system and the endless meetings, assessments, approvals and paperwork, the two eldest girls have chosen to stay where they are for now — an understandable and respected decision given their history in foster homes.

The younger three, however, are absolutely delighted. Over the past weeks, as paperwork progressed quietly in the background, the children spent time with my brother’s family — sleepovers, school plays, end-of-year discos, Little Athletics, movie nights, rock climbing, fish and chips at the beach. Simple, everyday experiences that many of us take for granted, but that aren’t possible without a loving family.

As Christmas approaches, it’s easy to assume safety, warmth, and love are guaranteed. For many children in Australia living in group homes or unstable care, these basics are painfully absent — especially at this time of year.

David and Renae have already organised beds, clothes, toiletries, and Christmas presents, and thanks to their enormous effort, the children will be HOME for Christmas.

I’m raising this GoFundMe to help give these kids the strongest possible start to the New Year.

Funds raised will go toward school uniforms, bags, lunchboxes, and meaningful activities during the school holidays — helping them step into the next school year feeling confident, prepared, and loved.

David and Renae don’t know this page is going up. They would never ask for help themselves, so I’m doing it for them.

There is absolutely no pressure to donate, and please don’t give if it would place you under any financial strain. I simply hope you find inspiration in their journey and are reminded that compassion and love still have real power in a world that can feel so divided and filled with hardship.

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Interested in becoming a Foster Carer?

You can care for a child for days, weeks, or years depending on your availability and their needs. Every minute a child spends in a loving home is better than the alternative ❤️