
Inspiring Others at Any Age: One 9-Year-Old Girl’s Fight For Animals
Written by sheroarsinbusiness.com
In a world full of influencers and icons, sometimes the most inspiring stories come from the most unexpected places. Nine-year-old Paige Bavin, from Bardney, Lincolnshire, may be young, but her impact is anything but small.
Paige is on a remarkable mission to protect endangered wildlife in Africa. Inspired by her love for rhinos and dogs, she has become a dedicated ambassador for Dogs for Wildlife, a non-profit that trains and deploys anti-poaching dogs to the front lines of conservation. Her story is a powerful reminder that anyone, no matter their age, can spark change and inspire others to do the same.
Paige proves that you don’t have to be an adult to be an inspiration, and that leadership can come from the most unexpected places. She is a role model for all of us, especially other young girls, showing that passion and perseverance can lead to extraordinary change.
A Passion for Rhinos Becomes a Purpose
Paige’s journey began with a deep love for animals, especially rhinos. When she learned about the devastating impact of poaching, she knew she had to act. As a “wildlife warrior”, she has already raised hundreds of pounds for Dogs for Wildlife, a charity credited with reducing poaching by up to 75% in the areas where their dogs work.
Her fundraising efforts have not gone unnoticed. She has received a commendation from Reilly Travers of Imire Conservation Park in Zimbabwe and even a handwritten letter of thanks from Sir David Attenborough himself. More recently, her work earned her a nomination for a BBC TV Make a Difference award.
Walk4Wildlife: A Call to Action for Young Conservationists
Now, Paige is taking her mission to the next level with Walk4Wildlife, a sponsored walk she has organised for Sunday 10 August 2025 at Hartsholme Country Park. Her aim is to inspire other children to join her and become “young wildlife warriors” too.
This isn’t just a walk. It’s a mission to protect Africa’s most at-risk species and nurture the next generation of conservationists. It’s a chance for children to learn about animal welfare, embrace nature, and see that they can make a real difference.
Every participant will receive a certificate, and children who raise £50 or more will be rewarded with a medal or T-shirt. Along the way, they’ll also develop valuable skills such as teamwork, goal-setting, and empathy, all while enjoying the great outdoors.
Calling All Children, Educators and Community Groups!
Paige believes every child has the power to make a difference. That’s why Walk4Wildlife is open to all, whether you come along with your family, youth group, school, or community organisation.
If you can’t join the event on 10 August, you can register your own walk or sponsor Paige from afar. Either way, your support will help keep endangered wildlife safe.
How You Can Help
To register your child or group for Walk4Wildlife, or to donate towards Paige’s personal fundraising goal, email fundraise4dogs4wildlife@gmail.com for a fundraising pack. You can also follow Paige’s journey and stay up to date on event details via her Facebook page: Just A Girl Mad About Rhinos.
Want to chat about smashing it in your business?
We work with women and LGBTQIA+ led businesses ready to move from surviving to scaling. Are you smashing it in your fieldor do you want to? Or not sure how to get where you want to go, we’re here for your next journey.
Related Articles
Related
Navigating adulthood with a difficult past: The unspoken resilience of survivors
Navigating adulthood as someone who has lived through a difficult childhood or traumatic early life is not just hard, it’s a quietly exhausting and often isolating experience. From casual work conversations about family holidays to forming deeper connections with friends or partners, we are constantly expected to show up as “normal,” even when our pasts are anything but.
Beyond the hustle: What strategic growth looks like and how to make it work for you
So we have established, you have a business with customers, great! And yet… it still feels messy.
You’re busy but not always productive. Marketing gets squeezed out of your week. You want growth, but you’re not sure what kind or how to get there without burning everything down.
This isn’t failure. This is the growth phase. It’s where things get exciting.
Beyond the hustle: When passion isn’t enough – beyond year 2
You started your side hustle with a whole lot of heart, a large splash of improv. Maybe it grew from your kitchen table, an Instagram post that got more attention than expected, or was it late nights filling orders while juggling a day job? Whatever your origin story, one thing’s clear: you’ve got what the people want.
But at some point, maybe 2/3 years in, things seem a little like wading through treacle. You’re no longer wondering if you can make this work, but how to keep going and actually grow without burning out.
Welcome to the “grow” phase, where DIY gives way to direction, and vision becomes strategy.