A Snodland teenager is appealing for help to realise her dreams of becoming a professional dancer.

Ember Bates, 15, was accepted into Mandy Ellen Performing Arts College on a three-year musical theatre and dance diploma course in November.

Her father Andrew has secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and her mother has given up her job as a hairdresser to care for him.

But with her parents out of work, and unable to qualify for a government grant, Ember is appealing for help to raise the £19,800 she needs to afford the course. She needs the first year’s fee of £6,600, by the start of term in September.

She said: “I love all dance, but my favourite is ballet. I was so excited when I got the letter saying I’d been accepted into Mandy Ellen. I would like to work on cruise ships and travel the world and later on in life I would love to be a dance teacher and maybe have my own dance school.

“My parents are finding it hard to fund my classes with my dad’s disability and a lack of income so it is difficult. It is hard to keep up with all the charges and we have found that it is hard to find funding as the college is private so isn’t recognised by government grants.”

The Holmesdale Technology College pupil, of Roman Road, has been dancing since she was just two and spends eight hours a week taking dance and singing classes.

She has launched her fundraising search on Talent Backer, a website for people in the world of sports, music and entertainment to pitch for sponsorship in return for rewards such as performance tickets.

The campaign is live for 28 days, but the money raised can only be collected if the target is reached. So far the fundraising stands at £300.

She added: “Raising this money would mean the world to me. I have been chasing this dream ever since I was little, and to make this dream come true would be amazing.”

To sponsor Ember visit www.talentbacker.com