Ten year old violin prodigy raises funds for Dartmoor Zoo

A ten-year-old girl is set to captivate audiences with a performance of a lifetime as she serenades Dartmoor Zoo's Amur tiger, Dragan, with her violin melodies. 

Niobe Coles will generously donate an hour of her time, aiming to raise vital funds for Dartmoor Zoo's Give us an Hour campaign. 

This initiative seeks support amidst the escalating cost-of-living crisis.

With electricity bills soaring to £72,000 and animal feed costs surpassing £60,000 for the year, Dartmoor Zoo has felt the financial strain. 

In response, the Give us an Hour campaign was launched, urging individuals to contribute an hour of their time through wages, volunteering, or fundraising efforts.

Niobe, whose love for animals knows no bounds, resonated deeply with the cause.

"I absolutely love Big Cats! They’re so amazing and majestic with all different personalities," Niobe shared.

"My favourite are cheetahs because they’re beautiful, fast, and graceful. I really hope I can help all of the big cats at Dartmoor Zoo by earning money for them with my music."

With her mother, Aimee, by her side, Niobe will certainly be ready for her performance. Aimee commented: "Niobe’s two favourite things are Big Cats and playing her violin."

“Although she’s only ten, I’m so proud of her commitment and effort to achieve this well-intentioned goal, and I sincerely hope she gets the support needed to make a positive difference to the zoo,” she continued. 

Niobe's hour of busking will be showcased on Saturday, March 2, at 2.30 pm at Dartmoor Zoo, where she will perform in front of Dragan, the Amur tiger. 

Following this, Niobe plans to take her talents to the streets of Ashburton, busking for an hour to raise further funds. 

While cash donations can be given on the day, an online fundraising account has also been set up to support Niobe and Dartmoor Zoo's conservation efforts.

Vanessa Apicella, Fundraising Lead at Dartmoor Zoo said: "I'm thrilled that Niobe has chosen Dartmoor Zoo's 'Give us an Hour' appeal as the platform to showcase her talents!" "The support we've received has been extraordinary, and we eagerly anticipate her complete performance in Ashburton. I'll definitely be there to cheer her on, and I hope you will join me in supporting her."

To witness Niobe's remarkable performance and show your support, catch her in Ashburton outside of the Arts Centre (West Street) on Saturday, March 30, at 11am. 

To support Niobe online, donations can be made via https://www.justgiving.com/page/niobe-coles-1709153404966?newPage=true