"I was delighted when Jo and Mel approached me to be their chosen charity for the Yorkshire Choice Awards, Bethany's Smile has been my sole inspiration for a number of years and to be able to promote our work and the benefits we can bring to families was amazing. A heartfelt thank you to all the sponsors and companies who have donated their services to what is going to be a fabulous event".
My name is Bethany Hare and I am 19 years old.
At 12 years of age, I set up my own charity called Bethany’s Smile. This then followed with two years of fundraising for Martin House Children’s Hospice where I made a short Charlie Chaplin style video.
The video went viral across the world! I then organised 4 Walk of Smiles events. In total, I raised £30,000. I then decided to set up my own charity to enable me to support children outside the hospice and have now set a target of raising £300,000 to build a holiday respite home called Smile Cottage. I have organised various events over the last 6 years including fashion shows, concerts and fayres.
I have now raised over £100k.
In recognition of my fundraising I have been awarded the following awards during the last 8 years:
Kids Count Most Inspirational Young Person 2011
British Red Cross Humanitarian Citizen of the Year 2012
Diana Award – Champion Fundraiser 2012
Yorkshire Child of Courage and Achievement – 2013
Just Giving Young Fundraiser of the Year – 2011
Rotary Leeds – Service Above Self Award Rotary GB& I
National Young Citizen Award Institute of Fundraising – Young Fundraiser of the Year Rotary International – Paul Harris Fellowship
The Prime Ministers' Point of Light Award
As part of my support for charities, I also began offering my support of singing free at their events. This has resulted in me performing at some very prestigious events such as:
Eva Longoria’s Global Gift Gala - Four Seasons Hotel, Park Lane, London
Well Child Awards - The Dorchester, Park Lane, London
Ripley Castle - Variety GB
DKMS - The Shard
St George's Day Luncheon - The Dorchester 7. St James' Palace for the Legacy Awards to commemorate 20 years since Princess Diana died, this was in the presence of Prince William and Prince Harry.
Along with many more events.
I am currently working with some incredible producers called Robin Taylor Firth and Steve Edwards as I am currently producing an album which will be launched hopefully this summer!