With help from family, friends and local businesses, the 16-year-old is organising her second gala ball which will take place on November 18th at Titanic Belfast. Radio presenter and long time family friend Cate Conway will compere the black-tie event, and it will also involve a raffle and auction.
Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice is a local charity that provides specialist respite, symptom management, and end of life palliative care to infants, children and young people who are facing life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses. Support is offered in the family home and in their Children’s Hospice in Newtownabbey.
Madison first became involved with the charity when she became aware of brother and sister, Noah and Gracie Coates, who both suffer from the life-limiting genetic disease Leukodystrophy.
‘When I heard about Noah and Gracie’s shared illness, I just felt I had to do something,” Madison said.
“With the support of my family, my friends and my primary school [Central Integrated Primary School, Carrickfergus] I started to organise coffee mornings and non-uniform days.
“Sadly, Noah passed away in July 2019.
Last year’s gala ball would not have been possible without the support of the Platinum sponsor Pinnacle, and I am so grateful that they agreed to be Platinum sponsor again this year.
“My aim is to raise awareness of what the Children’s Hospice do and the support that they give to the children and their families who need their services, and of course to raise as much money as possible to make sure other children like Noah and Gracie, along with their families, can access the support they need.
Madison says: “I had always wanted to have a gala ball to raise funds for the Children’s Hospice, but I knew it would take a lot of time and effort to organise. Thankfully last year’s gala ball was a huge success raising over £37,000 and I knew pretty quickly that another one would happen. I have been very lucky that I have had such a good response again from businesses across Northern Ireland supporting the event from buying tables to sponsorships and donating auction and ballot prizes.”
The ball is also supported with Sponsorship from Ulster Hockey, Specsavers in Newtownabbey, Vanrath Recruitment, Callow Event Management, iCare Charity and Briggs Equipment.
Madison added, “I am extremely grateful to Erin Miley and her team at Callow Event Management for their help and expertise in organising this years event.
“I am very thankful to everyone who has helped me with the event especially those who have bought tickets, donated prizes and sponsored tables. It simply wouldn’t happen without them.”
When asked how it feels to have already raised over £50,000 for Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice, Madison modestly replies: “I don’t really think about the amount I have raised. I just think about what Horizon House do for the children and their families that use it. I am aware that the government only gives a small percentage of the amount that is needed to run the Children’s Hospice every year and they rely on generous donations from the public.”
In 2020 Madison she was appointed the first ever youth ambassador for the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice in 2020 in recognition of her extensive fundraising efforts for the local charity.
The role involves volunteering at events, getting people involved in fundraising appeals, attending cheque presentations, and inspiring family, friends and online networks to support the charity.
Ken Montgomery, chairman of the Pinnacle, an east Belfast-based business management solutions provider, and platinum sponsor of the ball, says:
“We are delighted to again support this incredibly worthwhile event. Madison’s unwavering dedication to creating awareness of the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice and raising vital funds is a marvellous example to us all and her commitment to honouring young Noah Coates memory is truly inspiring.
“Now, more than ever, the Children’s Hospice requires our financial support to ensure families who have children with complex needs and life limiting conditions can spend quality time together as well as avail of much needed respite.”
You can follow Madison’s journey supporting the Children’s Hospice by following her on her social media pages @madison_w47 on Twitter and @nichyouthambassador on Facebook and Instagram
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