For first-year biomedical student Gisela Terisno, volunteering at Save the Children’s annual book sale to help raise funds for vulnerable children was a natural choice.

The international student from Surabaya in Indonesia is an avid reader and has a history of volunteering to help sick and underprivileged children.

“I began volunteering at an orphanage when I was in seventh grade to teach children who couldn't go to school maths and English,” she said.

“I volunteered at small local shops and after I came to Australia for Starlight Children's Foundation to raise funds for children with cancer and with climate groups.”

Gisela joined a team of UWA students last year that volunteered through the Save the Children University branch to prepare for and help at the sale and hopes to do so again this year.

Through the partnership, students gain valuable skills and exposure to a reputable and worldwide not-for-profit organisation.

“Volunteering with Save the Children is very engaging, I got to help people find their way and answered their questions,” Gisela said.

“Most importantly you are helping children who might not be as lucky as we all are and I loved that experience.”

The students support dedicated volunteers from the community who generously give their time throughout the year to collect, sort and clean thousands of books for the sale.

More than 10,000 people visit the charity event in the Undercroft of Winthrop Hall to peruse more than 120,000 quality books.

Save the Children ensures all proceeds go to support some of the most remote and disadvantaged children and young people in Western Australia and around the world.

Funds raised tackle issues at a community level with a focus on early childhood development, youth engagement and family support.

A flash sale with a more select assortment of rare books, collectables, children’s book sets and puzzles will be held on Saturday 15 August from 9am to 4pm and Sunday 16 August 9am to 2pm, or until sold out, in Hackett Cafe, next to Winthrop Hall.

The book sale runs from Friday 14 August until Wednesday 19 August. For more information visit the website.