THROUGH hard work, dedication and delicious ice-cream spiders the McGill siblings raised more than $500 to make up eight back-to-school packs for kids like themselves.
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Operation Backpack has been run for more than a decade, but St Vincent de Paul Wagga region president Trevor Urquhart has never seen four young siblings so committed to helping others.
St Vincent de Paul have been collecting backpacks full of school items to be allocated to families in need ahead of the school year.
The McGill siblings - Milla, 12, Indi, 10, Reuben, 9, and Levi, 7 - set up a drinks stand at the front of their Tatton home this week.
Mum, Angela, a businesswoman, taught her brood the basics.
The McGills decided they wanted to donate the money they raised to a charity, and Operation Backpack hit home.
They wrote down what they needed and went to the shops to purchase spoons, cups, ice cream and straws.
At $2 a pop the Fanta, Coca-Cola and Sprite spiders went off.
Group leader Indi said they sold the drinks for two days.
"We talked to Mum and decided Operation Backpack was the best option," Indi said.
Angela helped out by spruiking the group's cause on social media.
Soon enough they had raised $50, Angela said.
"Our family friend, Ben Smith, the director of business Imagineering, said he would match what they made," Angela said.
"I am really proud of them.
"The aim was to raise $50 but people kept stopping and it just kept going."
With more than $500 in their pockets the McGills headed to the shopping centre on Monday to fill up backpacks.
"We bought drink bottles, lunch boxes, pencils, highlighters, backpacks and exercise books," Indi said.
"It was fun."
Mr Urquhart said more than 100 backpacks would be distributed to families in coming days.
"It's fantastic (what the McGill children have done), too often we hear too many negative things about children," Mr Urquhart said.
"This is a classic example of children and the community helping out."
Indi said the best thing about the project was being able to help fellow school children.
"I think it's great to be able to help other people so that they can have the same school supplies."
To apply for a backpack contact St Vincent de Paul Care and Support centre on 6921 2381.
You can still donate backpacks or supplies by dropping them to 207 Edward Street.
