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Liverpool dance school sets up fundraiser for dream Disneyland Paris performance

4 hours ago

Liverpool dance school sets up fundraiser for dream Disneyland Paris performance
Credit: Cody Urban Dance

A Liverpool dance school has set up a fundraiser in hopes its pupils can travel to France for a dream performance at Disneyland Paris.

A total of 40 pupils from the Cody Urban Dance School in Mossley Hill have been chosen to appear at the famous resort this October.

They’ll be among a number of groups from across the UK who have been selected to appear on the Videopolis stage in the half term holiday around Halloween after a tough round of application and auditions.

It’s a huge coup for the dance school – which performed at the recent Zoe’s Place Concert at M&S Bank Arena and raised hundreds to save Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice (now called Little Lights) – but it needs to raise more than £22,000 to make sure that every child chosen has the chance to go.

Kate Hughes, a parent and spokesperson for Cody Urban Dance, owned and run for three decades in the city by Gill Cody, said:

“This is an amazing opportunity for these children aged from six to 16 to perform on an international, a European, stage in front of the Disneyland audience,”

“It’s a magical opportunity, and a dream come true for the children, and we want to make sure that while not everyone can afford it, every child who has been asked to be in the group to go can do.

“It will cost £550 per young person for accommodation and a pass into the resort for three days, and that’s a lot of money, on top of which is travel and outfits that will also be needed. But it’s such an incredible experience that we don’t want them to miss it.

“It’s a chance to showcase the dance school which has grown so much over the years and performed at dance festivals like Leap as well as charity shows and events across Merseyside, and to highlight the city too.”

The dance students will perform routines to Disney songs from Toy Story, Aladdin and High School Musical.

And Kate, who owns Free State Kitchen in Liverpool, adds it’s not just about the performance that makes this and the school so special:

“Gill runs the school by herself with her teachers and they put so much effort into it and the students, and the passion and care they show just blows you away.

“It’s not just about the kids learning to dance but so much more than that. 

“It’s about helping them grow in confidence and build their self-esteem, and become team players.  It’s somewhere for children to meet others away from perhaps their school friend group.

“But yes, to be chosen to dance at Disneyland Paris is such a privilege.”

As well as the Go Fund Me page, the school has organised a host of other fundraising initiatives from a sponsored walk around Sefton Park which collected £800 to an Evening of Dance at the Liverpool Naval Club on August 8.

Parents are doing bonus balls and football cards and car boot sales, and local businesses have been really supportive with prizes for raffles, Kate said:

“Taskers gave us a patio set with a firepit worth £2,000!”

“This is such a fantastic opportunity to show off the school and the city, and to raise awareness of dance for everyone, especially boys. We have breakdancing in the Olympics now, it’s evolving all the time, and things like this are to be grabbed at with both hands.

“The school is doing all it can and it would be great to get support – we’ve got about two weeks to raise the final £8,000 so, with help, we’re just hoping we can do it.

“It will mean the world to the children. It’s the chance of a lifetime that may never come their way again. Like the Disneyland Paris slogan says, this is ‘Where Magic Gets Real’.”

To support the children and Cody Urban Dance achieve their dream, head to their website.

Find out what’s happening across Liverpool here.


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