Every step counts as Enfield dancers show their moves for Jack and Jill Foundation

An Enfield dance school is dedicating an entire week of classes to raising funds for the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation.

Emma Browne, owner of Embrace Dance Academy said every class will become part of the foundation’s Power Hour campaign, with students taking part in dance challenges, games and routines while raising sponsorship.

The campaign officially runs from 21st September to 25th, but the school is extending its own fundraising through to Saturday, 26th September to allow students attending weekend classes to get involved.

Students have been given sponsorship cards and are being encouraged to raise around €20 each.

While €20 might not seem like a huge amount, Emma said it can make a significant difference to families supported by Jack and Jill.

“Every €20 that’s raised provides one hour of in-home nursing care for Jack and Jill families,” she explained.

The in-home nursing service provides vital respite for families caring for children with complex medical needs, allowing parents to rest, sleep or spend time with their other children while knowing their sick child is being cared for.

The Jack and Jill Foundation currently supports 537 families nationwide, with 58 families in Meath and Kildare requiring its support.

“We’re hoping to help as many families as we can,” said Emma.

The decision to support Jack and Jill came about through a chance connection in the local community.

A Jack and Jill representative who lives in Enfield happened to speak to the parent of one of the dance school's students.

The parent spoke about the classes and the school, and the representative subsequently got in touch with Emma.

It turned out that neither side had been aware that the other was based in the area.

“It was a nice full-circle moment,” said Emma. “It was terrific. It was really, really good. ”The fundraising drive comes as the dance school continues to grow, having expanded considerably since it began four years ago.

Emma established the academy after returning to Ireland following her own experiences of intensive dance training abroad. Her aim was to create an inclusive environment where there would be a class for everyone, including children with special needs.

The academy now has four locations — Enfield, Kilmainham, Prosperous and Strath — and offers ballet, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical and acro dance, as well as parent-and-child and adult classes.

“We’ve developed our own little dance community,” said Emma. “We’re very much a family-orientated dance school. We have kids from families where we might have three or four children from the same family doing different classes in the school.

“It’s just gone from strength to strength, and it’s word of mouth really. People are recommending us, which is terrific.”