Two dance schools in Chorley, Lancashire showed their support for a young PHA UK member by raising over £1000.
Youngsters at Charlotte Killick School of Dance and drama and theatre school Starlight Kids put on a special ‘One Night Only’ performance in support of three-year-old Matthew Calvert, who was diagnosed with PH as a newborn.
The showcase was organised by his mother Charlotte Calvert, owner of the dance school, and her sister, Samantha Killick, who runs Starlight Kids. Over 60 children took part in the show performing a range of routines from ballet to modern street dance, as well as a theatre production and choir.
“It was a fantastic evening and everyone who took part did amazingly well,” Charlotte said. “We also had great support from the audience – we raised over £500 from raffle and programme sales alone.”
Matthew joins in with the dancing lessons at his mum’s dance school and made his debut performance in the One Night Only show with a Chick, Chick, Chicken routine.
“He loves dancing and it is really good for him to develop his co-ordination,” Charlotte added. “He gets tired more quickly than the other children, but he powers through!”
Charlotte set up her dance school 15 years ago, and her sister Samantha launched Starlight Kids eight years later. “Both of us have been dancers since the age of four and it was always our ambition to have dance schools. We just love teaching the youngsters and seeing them progress,” Charlotte said.
The dance schools organise a charity show every other year to fundraise for worthy causes, with PHA UK being the nominated charity this time around.
“We wanted to do this fundraiser to help PHA UK do research to find a cure,” Charlotte added. “In my experience most people assume hypertension is about blood pressure, but as we know it is completely different and not always visible.”
Pictured below: Charlotte and her son Matthew
