It is not often a 12-year-old is described as caring and compassionate by somebody who is not a family member.
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Those are just two favourable words used by teachers to describe Windang Public School student Kai Trott.
One teacher, Marija Ugrinovski was so impressed with Kai's "compassionate and caring nature", she nominated him for the Fred Hollows Humanity Award Junior Ambassador for NSW.
On Friday afternoon news filtered through that Kai beat out over 100 nominations to win the award.
The Humanity Award is a national initiative of The Fred Hollows Foundation that acknowledges Year 6 students who follow in Fred's footsteps by demonstrating humanitarian values towards others.
Since 2012, the Fred Hollows Humanity Award has recognised more than 1500 inspiring students nationwide.
"Kai warmed the hearts of the entire community by encouraging the acknowledgement of ANZAC Day with a Windang Street initiative during COVID," Ms Ugrinovski said.
"Kai gathered all the leaders and other students from our school and lined the streets with candles to acknowledge our fallen soldiers.
"When Mother's Day stalls were also cancelled, Kai volunteered his time to hand deliver Mother's Day gifts with a cart around Windang.
"Kai's compassion extends to other daily acts of kindness, as he helps his mum look after his disabled uncle, and he's an active volunteer at the local Windang Surf Club, dedicating his weekends to assisting younger age groups with their surf lessons."
Jessica Trott said her son Kai was just a really kind-hearted kid who was always there to lend a hand.
"I know he is my son but you ask anyone, Kai is such a lovely boy who will go out of his way to help, especially the younger children at the school," she said.
"He is always there when he sees someone down or out and he is always encouraging the younger children.
"He wears his heart on his sleeve."
Kai said winning the Fred Hollows Humanity Award Junior Ambassador for NSW, was a big honour.
"It means so much to me. I want to thank my teacher Mrs U [Ugrinovski] for nominating me," he said.
"I love having the opportunity to help my community in any way that I can. I especially like helping the younger kids. I remember when I was younger and it meant the world to me when an older kid would take time to see how I was doing."
Kai also recently took part in the Black Dog Institute's Mullets for Mental Health.
"I've raised just over $1200 so far," he said.
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