When 12-year-old Mark Nielsen isn't delivering his regular thousand-watt smile, he's hitting super hero status in terms of his acts of humanity.
And this month he was recognised for it, by no less than the Premier Mike Baird and Gabi Hollows, the widow of eye surgeon Fred Hollows and the founding director of the Fred Hollows Foundation.
Mark (pictured) was one of seven Year 6 students in NSW to receive a special mention by the Foundation on September 8.
Since he was five, Mark from Glenbrook, a student at Penrith Anglican College, has been giving away his Christmas presents to the needy and giving away his pocket money to co-sponsor (with his parents) two Compassion children in Mexico.
He watches the news and is acutely aware of crises around the globe.
"I've got so much and others have got so little to survive on... it's sad that there is war and people are dying," he told the Gazette.
He's been the highest fundraiser for Jump Rope for Heart the three times the junior school has been involved with the event and Mark recently took part in a school fundraiser for the Leukaemia Foundation, helping to raise tens of thousands of dollars. And he was also able to get the Penrith Panthers players to sign a jersey for a Year 5 friend who has the disease.
"I'm thinking of sending some soccer shoes or some normal shoes to Indigenous children on [charity] Givit kids next," he said.
"Some of my friends wonder why I give away my presents and clothes at Christmas and they reckon I should just keep them. I usually say they need it more than me."
His mother, Maxine, said her youngest son was born eight weeks premature and also suffers with dyspraxia (which affects speech and motor skills).
"He's been through a lot in his little life and he wants to dedicate himself to helping people," she said. "After the Lindt cafe siege he got his sister to take him down to sign the condolence book."
Eight people nominated him for the award, including a teacher at his school and three people in the Mountains community.
"I was just like 'wow' about the award. I felt very excited," he said. "It was a privilege and honour to meet Mr Baird and have him and Gabi Hollows present me with the award".
The Foundation acknowledged Mark has "always been acutely aware of the needs of others".
During the ceremony, Mr Baird said: "The future of NSW and Australia are in great hands when you consider the incredible qualities of the young people nominated for the Fred Hollows Humanity Award".
Mark said he hoped others would consider sponsoring a child or helping in the community.
"It can make a difference in their lives, I'd encourage everybody else to do it."
