During his student days he once "saved a child who was swept out...

During his student days he once "saved a child who was swept out to sea. Another time, helped save children from a burning house next to a pub where he was drinking. On each occasion he disappeared before he could be properly thanked"

Abbott is a volunteer member of the NSW Rural Fire Service[166] as an active member of the Davidson Rural Fire Brigade.
Abbott has participated in several events for charity. In April 2007 he launched the tenth annual Pollie Pedal, a charitable event which aimed to raise money for breast cancer research.[167] Federal Territories Minister Jim Lloyd said that the event was Abbott's "brainchild".[168]
As Opposition spokesman on Indigenous Affairs, Abbott spent weeks teaching in a remote Aboriginal settlements in Cape York in 2008 and 2009, organised through indigenous leader Noel Pearson. He taught remedial reading to Aboriginal children; worked with an income management group, helping families manage their welfare payments; and visited children who had not been attending school—with a goal 'to familiarise himself with indigenous issues.

Tony Abbott has had an active interest in Indigenous Affairs. As Opposition Leader, in March 2013, Abbott said that, if elected prime minister, he would prioritise indigenous affairs by placing it within the department of prime minister and cabinet, saying: "There will be, in effect, a prime minister for Aboriginal affairs".[129]
As Health Minister Abbott established the Nurse Family Partnership to improve conditions for indigenous youths. Before becoming Opposition Leader, he served as Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs. He has worked closely with Cape York Aboriginal activist Noel Pearson. He has volunteered as a teacher in remote Aboriginal Communities and given an undertaking to continue to live one week a year in such communities if he is elected Prime Minister. He actively supports recognition of Aboriginal people in the Australian constitution. In contrast to his mentor John Howard, as Opposition Leader, Abbott has praised Kevin Rudd's National Apology to the Stolen Generation