Save the Children has launched its second ever national dance campaign. Dance schools, high school students, dance crews and dance-lovers of any age can register to hold their own five-hour event and get sponsored to raise money for vulnerable children.
The funds raised at this year’s events will help children survive to five years old – the most vulnerable time of a child’s life – and save and protect children’s lives both in Australia and overseas. In 2012 Save the Children Australia reached 8.4 million people through health, education, protection and humanitarian relief programs. “Too many children around the world die before their fifth birthday. No child is born to die,” says Save the Children National Fundraising Campaigns and Events Manager Janita Suter. “Funds raised by Australia’s huge community of dance lovers will greatly help improve the lives of vulnerable children in Australia and overseas.”
The five hour dance marathon works like a dance relay, says Suter and people of all ages and abilities can join in. Registered dancers can complete their five-hour challenge at any time during the month of October. Groups who raise over $500 go into the draw to win a range of prizes including weekend passes to the Australian Dance Festival in Sydney, a dance summer school scholarship at Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance in Melbourne, dance costumes and dancewear vouchers.
The event's ambassador, Jason Coleman is sure the event will be popular once again. “Our dance community is strong, buoyant and joyous. If we can help others by doing what we love, why wouldn’t we?” he said. “I know from last year that the vibe at Dance to Save events was fabulous – it was loads of fun, for a good cause.”
