'Highly ambitious' British graduate, 23, dies on her gap year trip of a lifetime in Australia
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An aspiring cyber security expert has died during a “trip of a lifetime” to Australia.
“Highly ambitious” Chantelle Madonia had been working as a waitress in Sydney and hoped to spend a year in the country before returning home to Llanishen, Wales.
The 23-year-old former University of South Wales student had a master’s degree in global governance and had hoped to work in cyber security .
She died in her sleep from a heart condition on December 5, her family said.
Thousands of pounds have since been raised to go towards funeral costs, reports Wales Online .
(Image: MEDIA WALES)
Chantelle’s aunt, Ellie Tomlin, 41, said: “Chantelle was so full of life and loved to travel and study. She always supported her friends and family and was always thinking and worrying about others.”
“Every picture you see of her Chantelle always had a smile and that’s what comforts us", her aunt said.
"She was very strong-minded. She was very ambitious.
“We knew Chantelle was popular but we’ve had so many people want to help us, not just with fundraising but also coming to the house. We never thought this would happen but she just inspired so many people.
Chantelle had planned to spend a year in Australia after previously travelling to Thailand and Nepal.
(Image: MEDIA WALES)
“She had friends from all over the world and we’ve had messages from people she met in different countries. It’s just been phenomenal,” said Mrs Tomlin.
More than £8,000 has been raised to go towards funeral costs.
There are plans to donate any extra money raised to the British Heart Foundation.
An online fundraising page stated: “All we want to do is to celebrate the courageous, outgoing, wonderful life she lived in such a small space of time.”