An 80-year-old Queensland fundraiser who has spent years pushing a lawnmower across Australia to protect children has arrived in Ballina carrying a deeply personal mission.

Claude Harvey is in the Northern Rivers raising money for Bravehearts, the national child protection organisation focused on preventing and treating child sexual abuse.

His dedication began about 25 years ago after two young girls close to him, aged just three and four, were sexually abused.

Rather than turning away from the issue, Claude decided to take action.

The Gold Coast grandfather began fundraising about 15 years ago by pushing a lawnmower through public spaces and asking strangers to donate to the cause.

Claude said he raised only 35 cents in his first five days.

But the campaign slowly gathered momentum and has since become a remarkable national fundraising effort.

Today, Claude’s distinctive lawnmower walks have taken him across multiple Australian states, turning him into a familiar figure for many communities and supporters.

According to his official Bravehearts fundraising page, more than $2.1 million has been raised through the online campaign alone.

Claude told Ballina News Daily his broader fundraising total has now reached about $2.4 million.

Bravehearts works to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse through education, support, advocacy, research and reform.

Claude’s Ballina visit gives locals a chance to support that work and meet a fundraiser whose campaign has grown from a modest Gold Coast effort into a widely recognised community mission.

Claude has a OAM and was 2023 Queensland “Senior of The Year” for his fundraising efforts.

From 35 cents in five days to about $2.4 million, Claude’s story is one of persistence, compassion and the power of small donations building into something much larger.

Claude will be in Ballina until Thursday evening collecting donations outside Coles and IGA stores.

Donations can also be made through his official online fundraising page.

Claude Harvey’s official Bravehearts fundraising page.

Main image: Local Ballina resident Rick donates to the cause.