Hidden Heroes are people who know that small things can make a big difference. They also know if you want to change your life for the better, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to do it in one giant leap. You have to do it one small step at a time.

Sometimes however, that first step just happens out of the blue and if you are committed and persistent, that first lucky happenstance can take you on a wonderful life journey.

That first small lucky happenstance happened to Robin Campbell in 1984 when he found an owl entangled in a barbed wire fence.

Robin brought the owl home, found a vet to help – they had to amputate one wing – and kept him (the owl not the vet)on a balcony outside their bedroom. They called him Spirit and Spirit’s spirit seems to have stayed with them every since.

A local journalist wrote a story about Spirit and before long, a trail of injured wild animals began to find their way to the Campbell’s door step. Fortunately, their list of human supporters began to grow as well.

Two supporters were especially important in the early going. They were Ruth Buchanan, who is a staunch supporter to this day, and Melda Buchanan. Sadly, Melda passed away two years ago. She was a legal assistant and passionate environmentalist.

Realizing that Robin and Sylvia’s efforts were going to require more and more donations from supporters, Melda helped them set up a not-for-profit society. She also sold a valuable painting that had hung on her wall for years and donated the proceeds to the cause.

About that time Robin told a friend that he would be really happy if he could spend the rest of his life working with wildlife and helping the mentally challenged. With that vision clearly in mind, and with the help of the new board at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Foundation as well as dozens or perhaps hundreds of others, his dream became reality.

He and Sylvia bought eight acres in Errington, eight acres that have been permanently set aside to be used for wildlife recovery only, and the centre, The North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre, has grown exponentially ever since most recently with a focus on eagles and Vancouver Island bears.

They also started a group home for mentally challenged young people. Three of them have now grown into adulthood and continue to live on the property with them.

Robin was never interested in education he says. His initial interest was focused strictly on wildlife rehabilitation but now the centre has a strong education focus for students from the elementary level to university. In fact it has become a highly desirable location for veterinarian students to do their practicums.

“It’s really beautiful that we can touch people’s lives as well as give animals a second chance,” Robin enthused.

Speaking of second chances, Robin and Sylvia believe strongly in giving people a second chance too. As a result, they have their own personal ministry working with prisoners in the area.

Robin smiled when he told me they started that ministry because they wanted to help others but the prisoners ended up helping them even more. Many of them continue to volunteer at the centre.

Here’s proof once again that the more we do for others, the more we get back in return.

There’s no doubt that Robin and Sylvia Campbell have found their true calling in all three areas of their “work”. I put “work” in quotes because as Robin told me, they are up at five in the morning and work until 10 or 11 at night seven days a week and they can’t wait to get up and start each day. That can’t be “work”.

What could you do to take the word “work” out of your life?