Teen raises thousands for youth charities (+ video)

A Rotorua teenager has raised more than $2000 for local youth charities all while having a "great time".

Madelyn Skilton, 17, organised the Amjazz Charity Youth Ball at the Rotorua Museum last Saturday.

The event was inspired by two previous fundraising events Madelyn was involved with.

In 2014 she put on a ball for her fellow home-school community to ensure they all got to attend one.

Last year her dance group, Amjazz Dance Studios, were fundraising for a trip to the United States to perform at Disneyland.

The three charities chosen were Canteen Rotorua, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Open Home Foundation.

Canteen Rotorua, based at the Rotorua Youth Centre, has personal meaning as a close friend was diagnosed with cancer this year.

Madelyn said the ball went "really really well, even better than what I expected it to be".

She said she had been "really stressed" leading up to the event as she wasn't sure they would sell enough tickets.

"But everything came together in the last week and we sold just over 100."

Madelyn said she had a hard time picking the charities, but she knew she wanted it to be something for young people and she came up with three then left it up to everyone at the ball to vote for the charity they wanted the funds to go to.

Canteen Rotorua was the clear winner, with two thirds of the votes and the other two were similar in numbers.

"It was so much fun. The biggest thing for me was the 'youth for youth', having a good time and not having to spend heaps of money, but being able to give so much back."

Canteen Rotorua were given $1500, while Rotorua Big Brothers Big Sisters and Open Home Foundation (Rotorua Teen Home) received $410 each.

Emma Taylor, Canteen Rotorua member support co-ordinator, said what Madelyn had done was amazing.

"It blew me away that someone from the community thought of us and said we want to do this for you.

"It means we can supply people with resources while they are in hospital and provide peer support, making sure they are not alone. The key for young people is to be connected. I'm just buzzing from this.

"And it's a 'by youth for youth' innovation which I think is amazing."

Canteen Rotorua member, Nakita Matthews, 18, said she though it was great the money would stay local.

"With such a small branch it makes a huge difference."