Taylor Swift made London student's wildest dreams come true with university fund donation
Video report by ITV News Correspondent Paul Davies
The teenager who had her university fund topped up by Taylor Swift to the tune of £23,000 has told ITV News the US singer has made her dreams come true. Soon-to-be undergraduate Vitoria Mario found herself ineligible for student finance and instead set up a crowd-funding campaign to help support her through her maths degree at University of Warwick. Despite an ambitious target of £40,000, Ms Mario was already doing well, having raised almost half the money, in the space of a week. But then superstar pop star Ms Swift saw her campaign, and, after shaking out her pockets, made up the shortfall.
"It was so unreal," Ms Mario told ITV News. "My friend texted to say 'Taylor swift donated' and I said OK, maybe 1k, 2k. but then she (my friend) screenshotted it and sent it to me and I saw '£40,000 raised'. I thought 'let me log in and check'. And then I did. "I was like 'wow'. "I didn't believe it, I'm still at this point processing it. It's quite unusual I would say." Ms Swift told Vitoria she donated the money after being "really touched" by the Londoner's story. The singer's generosity means Vitoria can now concentrate on her maths degree and not have to juggle studying with two jobs.
"It means that my dream has actually been achieved. I now have money to pay for my accommodation and my living costs while I study at uni. "A burden has been taken off of my shoulders because otherwise I would maybe have to find a job, if not two actually, to pay for accommodation and she did what I call it a blessing, she's a blessing." On her Go Fund Me page, the aspiring mathematician says she may not be able to afford to go, but Ms Swift's donation helped her reach her fundraising goal.
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Alongside the donation for £23,373, Ms Swift wrote: 'Vitoria, I came across your story online and am so inspired by your drive and dedication to turning your dreams into reality.
"I want to gift you the rest of your goal amount. Good luck with everything you do! Love, Taylor."
Ms Mario, who describes herself as "a young Black 18-year old-with a dream," said her family cannot afford to support her and she needs the help to pay for accommodation, a laptop, textbooks and general living costs.
"Though my story is not unique, my dream of becoming a mathematician is not only a chance at social mobility for my family and I, but to inspire people who have been in similar positions to aspire to be the best version of themselves and strive for their dreams despite gender/racial inequality, immigration issues and financial barriers," the 18-year-old wrote.
Ms Mario moved to the UK from Portugal four years ago, so is not eligible for maintenance loans or grants.
She added that she has always been "studious" and was unable to speak English when she moved to the UK in 2016.
She was awarded two A*s and an A in her A-levels and dreams of becoming a mathematician.
Ms Mario, who lives in Tottenham, north London, said her father has died and her mother lives in Portugal.
"Moving away from her was a challenge but it was a sacrifice worth being made in my family’s eyes," she added.