Dance event is strictly a fundraiser for Chernobyl children

STRICTLY Come Dancing is not just restricted to the stars that strut their stuff on the BBC’s hit TV series.

Nine couples in north county Dublin will set out to prove that they have all the dancing skills too when they take part in a fundraiser for Chernobyl children on Easter Sunday (April 8).In

‘Cha Cha Cha for Chernobyl’, which will take place at Kettles Country House, the couples will take to the floor to show off their moves after 10 weeks of rigorous training.

Representing

The couples will be representing a large number of parishes including Oldtown, Ballyboughal, Swords, Garristown, St Margaret’s, Kilsallaghan and Rolestown. Adrian Kennedy of FM104’s late night talk show is one of the contestants.

Trina Gilchriest, chairperson of North Dublin Chernobyl Children International (CCI), an outreach group of Adi Roche’s CCI, said the couples have been working very hard on their dance, costumes, ideas and props.

“Their level of commitment has been overwhelming as too has our dance teacher Michelle Tighe from the Deaton School of Dancing,

? she told Northside People.

Entertainment

“It will be a great night of entertainment with fun and craic from the couples, interval entertainment from up and coming band

‘The Pacemakers’ and Rolestown Theatre Group dancers.

“We will have DJ Brian Monaghan to dance us into the early hours of the morning.

“Our line up of judges includes Dublin Rose Siobheal Nic Eochaidh, who travelled to Belarus in February alongside a group of Roses. We are thrilled to have her attend our big night.

?
Doors open at 7.30pm and the show starts strictly at 8pm. Tickets cost a bargain

?¬10 each and are available from Kettles Country House or from Trina Gilchriest, phone 087-9969864.

Trina added:

“We hope that everyone will come and show support for a great charity and for all the participants who have given up so much of their time to help us fundraise.

?
Meanwhile, North Dublin Chernobyl Children International is busy preparing to host a group of very special children from the contaminated regions of Belarus in July.

Expanding

This will be its third summer to host children and the group has been expanding since it was set up in November 2009.

In the first year they hosted 11 children. Last year this increased to 18 and this summer they will welcome 20 children – eight boys and 12 girls between the ages of seven and 14. Also, in 2011, it was the first time the North Dublin CCI arranged a Christmas visit and four children thoroughly enjoyed their Irish festive experience for two and a half weeks.The group, established by volunteer Helen Faughnan, has raised almost

?¬60,000 from fundraising events in just two years.

If anyone is interested in being a host family, sponsoring items for welcome packs or donating raffle prizes, North Dublin CCI would love to hear from you. Contact Trina on the above number or email trinagilchriest@hotmail.com