agray@thekmgroup.co.uk

@andygraykm

An intensive fundraising campaign is underway to ensure nearly 40 youngsters can compete on the global stage.

Shake That Dance School has set a £12,000 target to enable some of its talented troupe to travel to the continent for two huge tournaments.

The first takes place in Rimini, Italy, in July where 26 students, aged between nine and 18, will be representing England in the European Hip Hop Finals.

In September, Bochum in Germany hosts the World Finals, with 18 members of the Sittingbourne-based club flying the flag for their country.

Stacie Hudson, who runs the group which trains at Castle Road on the Eurolink Industrial Estate, said the contests provide the chance of a lifetime.

She said: “It’s an opportunity to represent their country, and there is no greater achievement.

“To get this far they’ve been competing in regional and national finals since January.

“They’ve been selected from dancers throughout the whole of England, so to have to pull-out at this stage due to lack of funding would be devastating.”

Thanks to sponsorship from Sittingbourne firms Sole Indulgence, and Ace Hydraulics, the club has so far raised £3,500.

Stacie said if they fall short of their ideal target, which will go towards “necessities” such as flights, hotels and competition fees, parents will have to pay the difference.

“A lot of lot families struggle to pay for school classes each week, let alone trips to Italy and Germany.

“But the children deserve to be there,” she said.

Stacie, who has run the school for 10 years, said the club has a number of fundraising activities organised, including a quiz night on Saturday.

With flights already booked, she insisted the children will go to the finals “no matter what”, but the extra cash will banish any lingering doubt.

The quiz night takes place from 7.30pm at Old Bordenian Hockey Club, Borden Grammar School.

To book a table, call Stacie on 07908 609912.

For information on how to make online donation, visit: www.facebook.com/shakethatdanceschool