PACT Grant Helps Dance Troupe Make National Finals

A grant donated by the Police and Community Trust (PACT) helped transport a Rhuddlan school dance troupe to national competition where they topped the tables. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

PACT stepped in to help a member of staff who is an active volunteer with the ‘Synchrony’ dance team of Ysgol Y Castell, by donating a £200 to help them travel to a ‘Red Cross make your move’ dance final at the O2 in London. Little did the pupils or the police charity know that they would return to north Wales as national winners. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The dance team is made up of 12 year five and six pupils, a number of whom have never previously learnt to dance. They are managed by two teachers and the high standard of teaching has enabled the team to compete nationally, primarily in lyrical dancing. Their success to date includes qualifying for the ‘Great big dance off’ national finals in Birmingham and the Urdd Eisteddfod earlier this year in Flint. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The trip was a great success,” said Gill Jarvis who is a Business Manager with North Wales Police. “Synchrony won first place with the prize including an opportunity to be taught at a dance workshop by the Royal Academy of Dance. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Money had been raised by the parents, the PTA and a local business to pay for transport to most of the events and for costumes. However, the finals in the O2 required significant funds to transport the children, which would be extremely difficult to raise. This was a fantastic opportunity for the children, which would develop their dance skills and confidence, and give them a chance to compete at a national level in a great venue.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Gill added: “The parents, teachers and of course the dancers would like to say a massive thanks to PACT for their support, and helping them to achieve their dreams.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Dave Evans, PACT Project Manager said: “We were delighted to hear that our small grant contribution enabled these young people from north Wales to do so well. To reach the final is one thing, but to win it is something else! Member of staff, Gillian Jarvis, has been actively involved in supporting the group, and North Wales Police is committed to supporting our staff who volunteer in the community. It is marvellous to see the impact that this has had with this group of young people.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​