Grooving for good
A dance competition delivered by a team of sixth form students from Withington Girls’ School (WGS) has raised nearly £2,000 for Downing House, a local residential and dementia care home for older people.
The ‘Dancing Through the Decades’ competition saw over 600 students taking to the floor to showcase their dancing flair. Each year group took on songs from a different decade, from the swinging sixties through to the 2020s, which they complemented with expertly executed dance moves and classic, era-defining costumes.
The event was organised as a fundraising initiative, with the money raised split between Downing House and Family Fund, which delivers grants for low-income families raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young person.
Downing House provides a personalised care plan for each resident, alongside which opportunities are provided for social interaction, founded upon values of friendship and community.
Tara Sumra, a member of the WGS Year 12 Dance Committee, which put together the event, said, “Many Sixth Form students at our school dedicate time each week to volunteer at local care homes, providing companionship and playing games with residents, and allowing us to build meaningful connections with them.
“We decided to fundraise for Downing House, not only because it is a local care home, but also because we feel that its values strongly align with our school’s ethos of community, care and belonging.”
From flared trousers to glow-in-the-dark sweatbands, and from the simple ‘boogie’ to the more technical footwork of Footloose, each performance at the dance competition captured the spirit of its decade in a fun and vibrant way.
One particular highlight was the staff dance, which saw Mrs Haslam, Ms Baylis and Mr Bennett taking to the floor and rocking out to Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now, complete with inflatable guitars so they could execute Brian May’s iconic solo with style.
The judging panel was made up of Mrs Susan Guest, a member of teaching staff who trains the girls for their assessments at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA); Mrs Hannah Curran, Director of the You Should Be Dancing (YSBD) Theatre Academy, and choreographer of WGS’s production of Legally Blonde Jr; and former member of school staff Mrs Julie Buckley, who launched the competition 20 years ago.
After careful deliberation, they awarded winners in age group categories, before declaring a Year 10 form group as the overall winner for their standout routine to Vanilla Ice’s Ice Ice Baby.
The biennial competition is a longstanding tradition at WGS, and it made a welcome return following a few years’ absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tara added, “Reviving the dance competition has been incredibly meaningful to our school. It is an event that truly reflects our core ethos of community and inclusion.”
Whilst most students were keen to take part in the dances, those who did not were still able to contribute to the events’ success, channelling their efforts into other elements such as special effects, set design, costume styling, hair and make-up, lighting and sound, and running charity stalls and a raffle.
Downing House was incredibly grateful to receive the extra funds that the competition raised and invited some students from the Dance Committee to visit. The girls revealed the good news to the residents that they had managed to raise £1,832.50, and also showcased their additional talents as singers with a special performance.
The home’s Manager, Claire Williamson, said, “We would like to thank the hundreds of students from WGS for raising money through their dance competition, and our visitors for their excellent and entertaining performance, which the residents very much enjoyed. It is fantastic to see young people getting together and having a great time doing something to support a worthwhile cause in their community.
“The funds we receive will be put towards activities for our residents, which have a tremendous positive effect on their wellbeing. The students can be confident that they have made a real difference to their lives.”
The dance competition was an unforgettable night and one that will leave a lasting impact for many of the girls who took part.
Aiyla, a Year 10 student, said, “We not only danced, we bonded. New friendships were made and overall, it was just an unforgettable experience.”
Year 9 student, Zaynah, added, “We'll remember this even after we leave the school,” whilst her classmate, Safiya, said, “I can’t wait to do it again in two years’ time!”
What made the event more special, particularly for the Dance Committee, was the fact that the event supported local charities.
“We have seen the positive influence that we can have on the lives of local care home residents,” said Tara, “and we were inspired by our individual experiences to channel our work into a broader community effort.
“The dance competition filled many of us with a profound sense of gratitude, reminding us how fortunate we are to be part of such a special school community.
“We were delighted to be able to visit Downing House and perform for the residents, and to see the smiles on their faces when we revealed how much we have raised.”
Did you know we're a charity?
Abbeyfield is a charity dedicated to providing a warm, supportive homes for older people. By fundraising for us, you directly contribute to creating happy and fulfilling lives for our residents, helping us offer companionship, care, and a sense of community in our homes across the country. Your efforts can truly make a difference to the lives of older people.
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