Save the Children launches dance campaign

Save the Children Australia recently launched Dance to Save, its second-ever national dance campaign. Former So You Think You Can Dance and Popstars judge Jason Coleman is again the official ambassador for the campaign, which encourages dance schools, high school students, dance crews and dance-lovers of any age to register to hold their own dance marathon and get sponsored to complete their challenge.

Save The Children, Australia’s leading independent emergency relief and development organisation for children, will raise proceeds from the five-hour dance events to help vulnerable young children around the world.

Registered dancers can complete their five-hour challenge at any time during the month of October. Groups who raise over $500 go into the drawing 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.

Janita Suter, Save the Children’s National Fundraising Campaigns and Events Manager, said the event would be sure to get toes tapping and hips shaking for a good cause.

“Dancing is an amazing way to express yourself,” she said. “The great thing about Dance to Save is people of all ages and abilities can join in the fun – it’s like a dance relay! By fundraising they will be helping young children reach the age of five, safe and healthy.”

Coleman said he expected dance lovers from a wide range of backgrounds to again take part this year.

“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.”

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,” Suter said. “Funds raised by Australia’s huge community of dance lovers will greatly help improve the lives of vulnerable children in Australia and overseas.”

For more information or to register a dance team, go to www.savethechildren.org.au/dance or call 1800 760 011.

Photo courtesy of Save The Children Australia.