The 35-year-old said he wanted Australia to know that people with disabilities have as many goals and dreams as anyone else.
Costs of an interstate holiday are high for Mr Ariff, who is in a wheelchair, and would need specialised transportation and accommodation.
The Count Me In Ambassador said he wanted to inspire other people with disabilities to dream and work towards goals, no matter the complications.
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READ NOW‘What I really want to do is show that people with disabilities, they are like everyone else, they have dreams, they have goals, they have visions,’ Mr Ariff said.
‘Although this is a holiday in itself, it can show others what can happen when you set goals in place and have a supporting network around you that can help deliver your dreams.’
Mr Ariff is hoping to raise $7000 for the two-week holiday and has been selling gourmet cookies at schools and sporting events. ‘One of my goals was to do some travelling around Australia and overseas and I kept saying, ‘I want to travel, I want to travel,’ but I never got around to doing it,’ he said.
‘When you’re on the disability pension it’s impossible to save money.’
Mr Ariff said he was most looking forward to seeing the Gold Coast beaches and parks.
‘I’m looking forward to going to the beach; my friend and I are hiring an apartment which is close to the attractions and the beach,’ he said.
‘Just to have a good time, to relax and come back home refreshed and just start again.’
The Count Me In Ambassador program was developed as a major strategy to share key messages of Count Me In across Western Australia.
Mr Ariff had raised just under $700 for the Gold Coast trip when the Times went to print; he hopes to fly to Queensland in November.
To donate to Mr Ariff’s Gold Coast holiday, visit gofundme.com/Immysfirsteverholiday