A Touch of Magic: University student to donate thousands after latest fundraising success
A university student is set to give thousands of pounds to charity next month following two years of successful fundraising.
21-year-old Jessica Ridge will hand over a cheque worth £10,979 to Victoria’s Promise, a charity devoted to preventing cancer and promoting life, on April 6 in a presentation at Tonic Music for Mental Health’s headquarters on Albert Road.
Jessica has completed several fundraising campaigns over the years through her online platform, A Touch of Magic.
‘Each year she researches causes that resonate with her’, says Jessica’s mum Lara.
‘She likes to choose a different one each year’
Due to the impact of coronavirus, Jessica decided to spend two years raising money for Victoria’s Promise. Despite various lockdowns preventing her from completing her physical fundraising events she managed to raise £1,311 through online raffles to keep her campaign going.
Mum Lara explained that her daughter started raising pennies when she was eight years old and has raised over £100,000 through various fundraising exploits.
The money raised has benefitted many charities including Cancer Research UK, Honeypot Children’s Charity, and Daisy’s Dream.
Jessica has shown that she will stop at nothing to raise money for her chosen organisations. She has abseiled down the Spinnaker Tower, jumped out of planes, and even walked across hot coals as part of sponsored events.
A Point of Light award was presented to Jessica at 10 Downing Street as recognition for the outstanding work she has done in the community.
Plans have already been put in place for 2022, with A Touch of Magic aiming to raise £10,000 before December for Tonic Music for Mental Health.
