Nine year-old Kya hosted her first Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea last year in honour of her Nan – aka her ‘Nanstar’. She held her morning tea with her mum at their all-ages choir rehearsal, baking treats for everyone and placing a donation box next to a photo of her Nan. Kya shares how she hopes the money she raised will help other grandparents stay around to spend time with their grandkids.
Why did you decide to host an Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea?
I hosted an Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea because my Nanstar had breast cancer earlier in the year. I’m so grateful that she survived, so I wanted to raise money to help other grandparents survive cancer too so they can spend more time with their grandchildren. We got to keep our family together, and I hope others can do the same.
What did your morning tea look like?
My mum and I are in an all-ages choir, and we hosted our Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea during a rehearsal. I was the only kid in the choir; the other sixty members were all adults. A few weeks before the morning tea, I stood up and told the choir that I was going to host an Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea in honour of my Nanstar, who had breast cancer. I explained that I would bake treats for everyone and they could donate if they wanted to.
On the day of the morning tea, my mum and I slipped out of rehearsal and set up over 200 cupcakes and brownies in the break room. I also placed a donation box with a photo of my Nanstar on the table. When break time came, everyone lined up at the donation box.
I couldn’t believe it! Everyone was crowding around, ready to donate, and many shared stories about their own experiences with cancer. Some had family members affected by cancer, or had cancer themselves, and they asked about my Nanstar. It was amazing – there was almost no treats left!
Can you please tell us a bit about your Nan?
My Nanstar is one of the most amazing people in the world. She has so much love in her heart, it’s hard to describe. She’s always taking care of others, very kind and generous and puts others before herself. My Nanstar always sees the bright side and never lets things get her down. She is an amazing cook and always lets me use her great collection of lipstick!
She was diagnosed with breast cancer near the end of 2023 and made sure to get help straight away. She is a very determined person and stayed positive throughout her treatment. She finished treatment in early 2024 and has been cancer free for almost a year.
How do you feel knowing you raising vital money to help West Australians affected by cancer?
I feel very proud of the money I raised and happy for the people I have helped. Even though I am only nine years of age, I felt like I did something good for the world. I think it shows that anyone can make a difference and that everyone can work together.
What would you say to anyone considering signing up to be a part of Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea?
I would tell them that it’s totally worth it and that so much joy will come from knowing that you have helped others to beat cancer. It’s fun, easy to organise, and you will feel proud to know that you are doing something important to help other families.