Crystal hits right note with charity

University of Otago medical student and founder of the 100Percent charity Crystal Diong (22)...
University of Otago medical student and founder of the 100Percent charity Crystal Diong (22) offers piano tutoring and then donates the fees to charity. Photo by Peter McIntosh.

A University of Otago student has helped raise $28,000 after coming up with an ingenious way to help charities by taking advantage of student brainpower.

Medical student and founder of charity 100Percent Crystal Diong's idea involved students offering their services as tutors and then giving the proceeds to charity.

She came up with the idea three years ago after using more traditional fundraising methods, like the old-fashioned sausage sizzle.

''I wanted to come up with something that was a more efficient use of my time,'' Ms Diong said.

It started with her and a few of her medical school classmates but has now expanded to include about 90 students around New Zealand and a website (www.100percent.org.nz) where people - including secondary school pupils - can hire their services.

The charity has raised about $28,000 for World Vision causes.

After previously tutoring science, Ms Diong is now teaching piano; topics taught by other students range from languages to photography.

Other types of services which could be offering include building and gardening.

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