London student thanks Taylor Swift for £23,000 donation towards mathematics university education

Taylor Swift has made the "dreams come true" of an aspiring mathematician by donating £23,000 towards the London student's university education.

Vitoria Mario, who is Portuguese but has lived in the UK for four years, received an offer to study Mathematics at the University of Warwick but was struggling to find ways to fund her education.

The 18-year-old student said she is ineligible for Government funding and her family cannot afford to support her.

The aspiring mathematician set up a Gofundme page to raise the funds she would need for accommodation, a laptop, textbooks and general living costs.

The crowdfunder came to the attention of Swift who gave Ms Mario the remaining funds she needed to reach her crowdfunding goal.

“She actually made my dream come true,” Ms Mario said. She added that Swift’s donation came “out of the blue”.

“I feel like at some points I was worrying too much about the money, what I have to do, if I have to look for a job and now I can just do more maths, prepare myself for uni so I can just be really prepared when it comes,” Ms Mario said.

She said she is surprised the singer came across her campaign given that she is not from the UK.

Alongside the donation for £23,373, the US pop star 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 estimated she would need £24,000 for accommodation, £3,000 for equipment and £13,000 for general living costs including food, transport, gas and electricity.

“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 on her fundraising page.

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.

Ms Mario, who lives in Tottenham, north London, said her father has died and her mother lives in Portugal.

Her fundraising page said: “Moving away from her was a challenge but it was a sacrifice worth being made in my family’s eyes.”

Ms Mario, who lives with members of her family, has now reached her fundraising target following Swift’s donation.

Additional reporting by PA Media.

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