Madelyn in quest to raise funds for Bravehearts
Madelyn Franz is only five but is already making an impact with her charity fundraising and environmental work. Her mother explains.
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MADELYN Franz is making a big impact across the globe with her charity efforts and environmental sustainability.
At just five years old, Aspley State School Prep student Madelyn has been chosen as a finalist for Miss & Mr Diamond International, a non-traditional Miss-style pageant with a twist.
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Each finalist chooses a charity and sets a goal to raise funds for them. Last year alone Miss Diamond International raised $66,000 for charity.
Madelyn’s chosen charity is Bravehearts, Australia’s leading child protection charity with the mission of preventing child sexual assault.
I sat down with Madelyn and discussed the different charities to chose from.
It was very hard to choose a charity, they are all so worthwhile and in need of urgent funding to carry out the important work they do.
But after talking to a few friends, there just seemed an overwhelming echo of “it happened to me”.
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It is estimated you could fill the MCG eight times over with children living in Australia right now who have been, or will be, sexually abused. I explained to Madelyn that it was about helping children after they have been hurt by bad people and she wanted to help straight away.
Madelyn is no stranger to the hard work of fundraising, so far having been involved in raising money for a $6000 cuddle cot, which is a refrigerated bassinet for stillborn babies and presented it to Sands Bay of Plenty New Zealand for use at Tauranga Hospital and Bethlehem Birth Centre.
She has also raised funds and awareness for Variety Kids, Kids with Cancer, The Kokoda Challenge Association, Share The Dignity, Lids for Kids, Gold Coast NICU, Peninsula Animal Aid and helps with collecting supplies for feeding the homeless and disadvantaged people.
She even sent her own toys and clothes to Lihir island in Papua New Guinea for the local children.
Her teacher Mrs Chalk is also on board and is a part of the schools Early Act Club. She allowed Madelyn to set up a box in the classroom to collect supplies for Rosies On The Street.
On weekends Madelyn joins not-for-profit group Ocean Crusaders to clean up our local waterways, when she is not competing in charity pageants.
She does all the fundraising by herself — serving at barbecues, selling cookies, market stalls, door knocking and auctions.
It’s Madelyn who wants to do this. She has so much empathy for such a little girl.
When she grows up she wants to be a doctor so she can help sick people.
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