At nine-years-old, the Middleton Grange pupil did his first 40hr famine because his school was doing it and he wanted to get involved.
Now, the 18-year-old Halswell resident has been named as a World Vision Ambassador for his dedication to the organisation.
Izaac was presented with one of the most prestigious World Vision awards, the Spirit of Dulcie award, for his desire and motivation to make a change in the world.
He also received the Greatest Individual Impact Award, for almost single-handedly raising $14,000 for World Vision.
“These awards highlight my passion to help as well as the huge amount of work that the school has encouraged us to do over the years to support World Vision,” he said.
Said Izaac on raising the $14,000: “I started to email celebrities across the globe ranging from Graham Norton, Ellen DeGeneres, multiple different actors and celebrities overseas and also many famous New Zealanders.”
Izaac did not get many responses but heard back from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Nico Porteus, some All Blacks and other New Zealand artists.
From there, he had the idea to host an art auction, which raised $12,000, he then door-knocked and approached family members, which raised another $2000.
Next year, Izaac will travel to Malawi with four other World Vision Ambassadors and see where the funds from the 40hr famine will go.
“This is a long way from home, making it an exciting adventure for myself and the other four ambassadors going on the trip. I feel excited but ready for the challenge,” he said.
Once he returns from Malawi, he will visit schools across the country to assist with fundraising for World Vision, and he said one of his key goals is to increase participation in the famine across Christchurch.
“I feel so privileged and blessed to be able to help World Vision with its global work and to be able to help it make a change is something that will stick with me forever,” he said.
