A finalist in a TV dance competition devised a high-energy routine to entertain shoppers – and raise money for a cancer charity.
Tom Lloyd-Hughes, 17, choreographed a flash dance at the Eagles Meadow shopping centre in Wrexham.
Also taking part were fellow performing arts students from Coleg Cambria who were raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
As well as dancers, there was a 30-strong choir who sang a host of classic songs for their chosen charity as shoppers donated money into their collection buckets.
The routine was masterminded by Tom, a former pupil of Ysgol y Grango from Ponciau, who hit the headlines as a 14 year old when he reached the finals of Sky TV’s Got To Dance in 2013.
Tom, a self-taught bodypopper whose ambition is to dance professionally in musical theatre, said: “It took me a day to choreograph the flash dance which was performed by 12 students.
“We all then joined the choir of around 30 students to perform a number of songs. I enjoyed the flash dance which wasn’t a nerve wracking as appearing on camera on Sky TV.”
“All the students are made up to be able to raise funds for a good cause like Macmillan Cancer Care. It’s been a brilliant day.”
Coleg Cambria dramatic art tutor and charity champion Lucy Melegari said: “Students have joined together at all Coleg Cambria sites in an effort to raise as much as we can for Macmillan Cancer Support.
“Some students have stayed on at various college sites and are doing all sorts of activities from selling daffodils to cake sales. However, the performing art students from Coleg Cambria’s Wrexham site decided on a flash dance and singing as a choir.
“It’s a fantastic effort and all done in the students’ own time. It’s all about raising funds but also raising awareness of what we, as a college, do for the community.”
She added: “I don’t always think the public realises just how much work students do when it comes to charity fundraising.”
Wrexham County Borough Council’s deputy mayor, John Pritchard, went along to support students at Eagles Meadow, accompanied by his wife Ann.
Cllr Pritchard said: “To see how much work the students have put into their performances here at Eagles Meadow is really impressive especially as they are backing what is a very worthy cause in Macmillan.
“Students very often get an underserved bad name but anyone can see today how much effort they have put into raising funds for a brilliant charity that deserves all our support.
“And we have to thank the management of Eagles Meadow shopping centre for supporting the event and allowing the student the space and time to perform for the public.”
Performing art students Rosa Whitley 17, of Wrexham and Lauren Rowlands, 16, of Rhyl, both sang with the choir.
Rosa said: “We sang three songs, Bridge over Troubled Water, Anthem, from the musical Chess and Facade from Jekyll and Hyde. I really enjoyed it and it’s a great way to raise funds for a brilliant charity.”
Lauren added: “I’m glad we were raising money for Macmillan Cancer Care as it’s such a brilliant charity and deserves as much support as we can give.”
Macmillan Cancer Care North Wales fundraising manager, Eleri Brady, says she was delighted when Coleg Cambria named the charity as their partner for the academic year.
She said: “It’s amazing that, on a leap year, the students have given up their extra day to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Care.
“As a charity we are absolutely thrilled with the support of students and delighted that Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre allowed students the space to perform and entertain shoppers as part of the fundraising.”
Eagles Meadow shopping centre manager Kevin Critchley was happy to see students entertaining shoppers for a very worthy cause.
He said: “I’m really pleased Coleg Cambria chose Macmillan Cancer Care as their charity partner for this academic year.
“The performance by students has generated a lovely atmosphere here in what is a friendly, welcoming and popular shopping centre.”
For more information about Eagles Meadow shopping centre go to www.eagles-meadow.co.uk
