Triathlon helps dancers to reach their Italian target

Organisers Dave Bovey and Katrina Excell with fundraisers for The Southern Arts Academy, who are raising money to send a group of dancers to a world championships in Italy
Picture: Ian Hargreaves (160575-3) — Organisers Dave Bovey and Katrina Excell with fundraisers for The Southern Arts Academy, who are raising money to send a group of dancers to a world championships in Italy Picture: Ian Hargreaves (160575-3)

Southern Arts Academy, which is based in Denmead and the Horizon Leisure Centre in Waterlooville, will be part of the England team in the International Dance Federation world dance championships in May, which are being held in Brixen, Italy.

There are nine students between the ages of 12 and 19 who are fundraising to achieve the £8,000 they need to compete against 32 other countries.

So far, to raise money, Southern Arts Academy has held a Valentine’s ball, opened a tuck shop, run a choreography competition and started fundraising web pages.

The final attempt to raise the last £3,500 was a triathlon which spanned the distance from Denmead to Italy and back – so participants covered 1,780 miles over three days around Denmead and Waterlooville.

The triathlon was on April 8, 9 and 10 and saw more than 80 people involved, including marshals, first aiders the athletes – including swimmers who swam two miles each.

The event was sponsored by Dave Bovey from Smart Fit and his core team who took part in the event.

Dave decided that as many people as possible should be involved so the challenge needed to be tough – and this led to the idea of covering the miles from home to the competition to venue and back.

Friday evening started at the Horizon leisure centre in Havant with swimming, followed by Saturday and Sunday at The Chairmakers in Denmead where everyone ran or cycled.

The Chairmakers was the base for the weekend.

There was entertainment in the evening for all the team including a quiz and music donated by The Chairmakers and disco donated by Redstage events.

Katrina Excell from the academy said: ‘At the end of the weekend we didn’t just meet our target of miles but went over by an extra 400 miles which was amazing.’

The academy is looking for sponsorship or donations. JCC Lighting from Bognor has sponsored the England team uniform but the academy is short on travel costs, and would like to hear from anyone who could help the girls compete. To find out more email Katrina at Southern Arts Academy on [email protected].