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Virtuoso violin busker

256. Madison Glinski

A 10 year old busking star from St Ives who has raised over £40,000 to support a hospice for terminally ill children.

10 Downing Street

Talented violinist Madison Glinski made a New Years Resolution to raise money for charity as the year turned into 2014. Then after falling ill with appendicitis, she chose to support the Little Harbour Hospice, feeling moved to support their work for terminally ill children. Saddened at the effect their illnesses had on their childhoods, Madison set herself the target of raising £500 for the patients. She hit the streets with her violin and began busking – smashing her target and collecting £40,000 from generous crowds in St Ives, Truro and St Austell. She has also received donations from people following her fundraising on Facebook including international donations.

As well as busking on cold wet days, Madison also sold her toys online. People donated toys which she auctioned off, she organised car boot sales, sold Christmas cards and collected over 60 Christmas presents as gifts for the poorly children of Little Harbour donated by businesses and people following her work on social media.

The money Madison has raised so far helps to ensure that the hospice doors can remain open and is spent on the day to day care provided to terminally ill children by the doctors and nurses. She recently set herself a new target of £50,000 to further support their vital work.

Prime Minister David Cameron said:

“Madison is a remarkable girl who has used her talents as a violinist to raise money and make a difference to terminally ill children staying at the Little Harbour Hospice. I’m pleased to name Madison the UK’s 256th Point of Light.” 

Madison said:

“I really can’t believe that I’ve won this amazing award. I feel so lucky to be able to help the poorly children and to win this award for doing so – it makes me feel even luckier. Thank you Prime Minister!”

Derek Thomas MP for West Cornwall said:

“It is fantastic that Madison is being recognised in this way. Despite her young age Madison has used her talent in music to raise serious amounts of money for very important causes. She is an inspiration to us all and I wish her the very best for the future.”

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

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