He was one of 20 organisations and individuals to be recognised by the charity Backpack Bed for Homeless in its annual Australia Day Hero award. 

In October last year, the 11-year-old raised more than $800 to buy swag beds for the homeless.

He sold more than 70 happiness advent calendars, which offer owners happy quotes and jokes instead of chocolate. 

Jake told The Courier at the time he had always been concerned about the homeless and wanted to do something to help them out.

“I’ve been given the gift of a home and a loving and caring family,” he said.

“Some people in the world don’t really have that though, so it means a lot to me that the homeless people have somewhere to sleep.”

Jake had tried to volunteer at the Ballarat Soup Bus, but was told that volunteers had to be over 18 years old.

Eight swag beds were bought with his fundraising efforts, while the remaining money went towards the Anglicare breakfast program.

Backpack Bed for Homeless founder and chief executive officer Tony Clark said Jake’s effort was a wonderful example of what could be done by an individual and how these actions could make a direct impact in a community.

“He is a young boy who felt he had to do something,” he said.

Mr Clark said Backpack Bed for Homeless relied on the generosity and understanding of fundraisers to give homeless people a “sense of dignity”.

“It’s not just about having a place to sleep.  It’s about protection from the weather and a sense of self esteem,” he said.

Mr Clark said the charity organisation relied on “amazing people” doing “amazing things to help every day Australians who sadly sleep on our streets”.

To date, more than 23,000 Backpack Beds have been distributed to homeless without shelter. Distribution is through more than 500 homeless agencies and outreach workers.