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Fundraising with a smile

404. Bethany Hare

A young fundraiser from Yorkshire who uses a song and dance routine that went viral to support very sick children.

Bethany, 15, from Yorkshire, came up with a novel way of fundraising for her local children’s hospice after saving up her pocket money to make her own charity video raising tens of thousands of pounds. a short Charlie Chaplin style film which she placed on Just Giving and asked family and friends to donate to the hospice if they liked it. Within two weeks of placing the film on Just Giving it went viral. Donations flooded in from all across the world and within two weeks her film had raised over £8,500.

Since making the film, Bethany has donated over £30,000 to Martin House Children’s Hospice and also now set up her own charity called Bethany’s Smile. She has organised many events such as Walk Of Smiles (sponsored walk of fun and colour), Styles For Smiles Fashion Shows, Charity Balls, Christmas fayres and more and has now raised over £80,000 to support children with chronic, life threatening and terminal illnesses.

Bethany has set herself a target to raise £300,000 to build a Smile Cottage – a holiday/respite home where families can go when they are faced with the news that their child has a short term life expectancy or life changing illness, and spend quality time together.

Prime Minister David Cameron said:

“Bethany has shown incredible commitment to supporting children with serious and terminal illnesses. The fantastic amount of money she has already raised will have made a huge difference in the lives of many children and their families. I am pleased to recognise her outstanding service by making her the UK’s 404th Point of Light.”

The daily Points of Light award recognises outstanding individual volunteers - people who are making a change in their community.

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