A talented young Perth street dance crew is training hard ahead of the Dance World Cup in Portugal next month.
Flying out to Braga at the end of June, J Crew 2 will represent Team Scotland and compete against over 40 countries for the gold medal.
But to make their dreams a reality the team has turned to the Perthshire public for help.
The 13 kids of the JGN Dance Attic need to pay for flights, official Scotland tracksuits, accommodation and general costs just to take the stage at the finals.
Since they qualified in first place in November thanks to their dazzling audition, owner of Gray Street’s JGN Dance Attic, Jackie Nicoll, and her dancers have been working double time in the studio as well as the fundraising circuit.
Jackie, who also coaches two other dance groups No Filter (older) and New Jack Crew (younger), said: “The kids have done well in the UDO (United Dance Organisation) Championships over the years so I thought let’s try something different and go for the Dance World Cup.
“It is the first time I am doing it.
“Then they auditioned in November and they got through as part of Team Scotland.
“It is like the Olympics where they pick the best competitors for the team.
“It is incredible – these kids have worked so hard to achieve their goals.
“They are going to be competing in the street dance category.”
A GoFundMe was set up in January appealing for kind-hearted donations to help pay for the dancers’ trip.
The page so far has raised £560 with the target set at £7500.
“The issue is raising the money for it,” Jackie explained.
“We have received money from the Guildry Fund and others but we are looking to raise more.
“We need £1500 overall for the tracksuits alone. It is very expensive.
“When I asked the kids about raising the money themselves and how hard it could be they said ‘let’s go for it’.
“The kids have done bag packs at the Edinburgh Road Tesco, which raised £1000, a bingo tea and a clairvoyant night at the Civil Service Club, which raised £1700.
“In total we have raised about £8000 and we need another £3000.
“We have the flights – for parents as well as kids – entry fees, tracksuits and general costs to pay for.
“We are also taking part in a sponsored walk to get our fitness up and raise funds.
“These are Perth kids who will compete for Team Scotland but because it is dance it is not recognised as much as curling or football.
“I am incredibly proud of them.”
Jackie is in no doubt about it – J Crew 2 only have eyes for the gold.
“There are 50 countries all together from Malaysia to Macau – it is massive,” she said.
“We want the gold medal. These kids set their goals quite high.
“It would be a first for this area I think.
“Training has gone up a level and we are all so excited.
“We train at least three days a week and do all-day sessions at the weekend.
“We have brought in top choreographers to help and we may set up dance routines in the street for publicity as well.
“Anything is going to help them achieve their goal.”
To donate go to www.gofundme.com/f/j-crew-2-to-represent-team-scotland or for more information head to www.facebook.com/jgndanceattic
