Jessica Lui has been busking and giving the money she raises (about $900) to the hospice. Photo / John Stone
Jessica Lui has been busking and giving the money she raises (about $900) to the hospice. Photo / John Stone
She may only be 12, but Whangārei's Jessica Liu is using her musical talents to help her community.
The Year 8 student has been donating funds raised from busking at the Whangārei Growers Markets to local charities.
She started busking last year and made her first donation of $393.10last December to the Whangārei SPCA.
Since last Christmas she has been raising money for North Haven Hops ice and has made three donations to the organisation, totalling $872.30 over the past year.
The Kamo Intermediate School student said she had donated all the money she had raised, except for two small amounts she used for a school trip to Vanuatu and to give to her family.
"I was kind of inspired last year. A few girls from my class, they went with our teacher to donate chocolate to hospice. That gave me an idea and I just decided to play."
Liu has been playing piano since the age of 7 and classical guitar since she was 8. The talented player won a recent guitar competition.
She said she practised every day for one to two hours. Since playing at the markets she has been recognised as "busking girl" a few times.
Not only does Liu donate her busking funds to the hospice, but from time to time she volunteers there too, playing her music to the patients.
