A DISABLED mum of two is working to do her bit to help Australia's wildlife casualties during the bushfire crisis.

Leanne Massey, 25, felt helpless after hearing about the bushfires that have destroyed huge tracts of land.

She decided to use her painting skills and create pictures to raise money for an animal hospital appeal set up by Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors .

Leanne of Queens Avenue said: “I just felt a bit powerless with all of it going on, I watched Steve Irwin on TV and he was a massive environmentalist and I wanted to do my part in it all.

“Steve was just super passionate, the message he put out there and particularly through what he was doing showed how incredible the animals are. He’s one great conservationist.

“I have always done art. I’m actually disabled and there’s a lot of things I can’t do, it’s taken a lot from me. But art is the one thing it hasn’t.”

Leanne has been diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and a rare immunodeficiency, IgE.

Ehlers-Danlos is an inherited condition that effects connective tissue which makes it harder to move joints and causes bruises easily.

IgE causes eczema, skin abcesses and lung infections.

Despite these conditions she’s working alongside her daughter Ava, two, and son Marley, one to paint the pictures.

They work backgrounds while Leanne paints an Australian animal on top.

She told the Adver: “I love to paint, it allows you to be in another world for a little while and be creative.

“My daughter understands what is going on and why we’re doing it but my son just likes making a mess with the paints.”

On their first day of doing the paintings they raised £50 through sales on Facebook, but they’re hoping to keep raising much more.

The money will then be donated to the charity run by the Irwin family.

Leanne said: “The Irwins have saved thousands of animals so it’s a good cause that the money will be going to.

“My daughter is obsessed with animals so when I told her the idea I had and why, her mouth dropped. Ava was very sad about the fires but she’s very excited that she can at least help them.

“I’m very proud of the both of them, I couldn’t be any prouder of how caring they are.”

So far they have painted kangaroos, koala bears and Wallabies.

To buy a picture and to help raise money for the cause, contact Leanne Massey on Facebook.

Information about the appeal can be found online at wildlifewarriors.org.au