The Charity Highland Dancing Festival aim is to raise much needed awareness and funds for charities. Each year the competition will change location with the proceeds going towards a different charity supporting long-term illnesses nominated by dancers and their families.
The concept of a Charity fundraising competition is not a new idea - but one where the nominated charity varies each year is novel and hopefully will bring renewed energy and drive on an annual basis.
The idea was broached by a fellow judge who approached us with the concept of resurrecting the charity competition following our son's diagnosis of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy late 2008. We decided that this was an ideal opportunity to raise funds and awareness not only for Logan's condition, but other long-term illnesses known to dancers and their families - and the Charity Highland Dancing Festival was born.
From the positive responses from other dance friends and associates it was clear that this venture would be well supported and with the help of local dancing organisers we knew that we would have the best support available to run the first event successfully.
For the purposes of consistency and continuity, a small overseeing committee has been formed to take overall organisational responsibility for all the competitions, while each year a local organising team with specific links to the chosen charity will be formed for the purpose of running that particular event.
Anyone interested in holding a future competition, with an interest in a particular condition/charity please contact me (please note that competition organising experience would be required - see section on 'want to run a comp?').
We are very thankful to all those who donated trophies which will keep the competition going for a few years. As with all competitions there will come a point when we will require to replace trophies due to damage/misplacement. Therefore if you are interested in donating a trophy please contact me as any support would again be much appreciated.
Pictured Intermediate and Premier Winners from Charity Festival 5th March 2011 Johnstone
