A TROUPE of Solihull dancers have been pirouetting into the Dance World Cup this week thanks to a grant from the Birmingham Airport Trust Fund.
Spotlight Stage School, based in North Solihull, was awarded a £2,000 grant from the airport to support them in representing England at the 2016 Dance World Cup in Jersey, which took place this week.
The independent part-time stage school, which trains aspiring performers in all aspects of theatre arts, has seen pupils perform in famous West End shows, UK tours and at Disneyland Paris – and now at the Dance World Cup.
Speaking prior to the competition, Vicky Richards, Principal and Founder of Spotlight, said: “Pupils attend classes for fun and fitness, to make friends, to increase self-confidence or with a view to becoming a professional performer or teacher of theatre arts.
“We are totally overwhelmed to receive this grant and extremely grateful to Birmingham Airport’s Trustees. The money will help us with the cost of the outfits that will be required for various competitions, particularly the Dance World Cup this month.”
Qualifying for the Dance World Cup is a huge achievement in itself, with the competition attracting around 18,000 competitors from 38 countries.
Last year Spotlight bought home three gold, three silver and two bronze medals, and qualified with 14 routines this year.
Andy Holding, Corporate Responsibility Manager at Birmingham Airport, said the trustees’ decision to award the funding to Spotlight was made on account of the ‘incredible job’ Ms Richards and her team do to teach young people from North Solihull to a high standard of dance – keeping them fit and healthy.
He added: “The dedication and commitment shown by both teachers and pupils is heart-warming and the opportunities these children receive are life changing.
“This is very much in line with our Corporate Responsibility Strategy of developing local communities and promoting health and wellbeing in the area.
“We wish them a huge amount of luck in the Dance World Cup and we look forward to hearing about how many medals they bring home this year.”
The funding awarded, forms part of the Birmingham Airport Community Trust Fund which awards grants of up to £3,000 to community groups in areas most affected by the airport’s operations.
Each year the airport contributes £75,000 to the Community Trust Fund.
The next available round of Trust Fund awards close on Friday, August 26, with more information available on the Birmingham Airport website.
