Black Isle zumbathon attracts 100 dancers and raises £7500 for Scotland’s Air Ambulance
A COMMUNITY rallied to a heartfelt fundraiser by turning out in force to help repay a debt of gratitude to a lifeline charity service.
At the heart of the community response is the family of 12-year-old Alma Fraser, whose diagnosis with hydrocephalus during her final year at Avoch Primary set in motion a dramatic sequence of events credited with saving her life.
The role played by Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) – which took her from Raigmore Hospital to the Royal Children's Hospital in Glasgow, for a potentially life-saving operation from neurosurgeons – has prompted Alma’s family to organise an event which puts the ‘fun’ into fundraiser.
A dance fitness Zumbathon at the Black Isle Leisure Centre in Fortrose at the weekend proved to be a huge hit, smashing the initial £500 target with a total of £7500 so far pledged.
Alma’s mum Maru said: “The Zumbathon was a total success. At one point we had over 100 dancers. People from the Black Isle, Dingwall, Inverness and Nairn came to dance!
“We had some teachers from Fortrose Academy helping in the set up with the stage and the projectors, S1 girls and their mums helping with the teas and coffees and pupils form S3 and S4 dancing, as they all know Alma and wanted to participate to.
“The staff at the leisure centre were so good as well answering to all of our requests. Many people were asking for another Zumbathon so maybe this is the beginning of a trend!
"We cannot thank the Zumbathon team, Sarah, Helen, Iona, Ximena and Lindsay, enough for all the work they put into this event. SCAA was vital for Alma and this is a small way of saying thank you.
“Many people keep telling us that they didn't realised how SCAA was charity, and not a funded organisation, so I am hoping we made awareness of how it is so important to help organisations such as SCAA so they keep saving lives like they did with Alma.”
Sarah Byham said: “The Zumbathon team were overwhelmed by the sense of community and love shown by the wonderful dancers who joined us. Over 100 dancers joined us, led by the fabulous instructors Lindsay, Donna and Lorraine. The cake and tea and coffee team kept us going.
“Seeing a sea of such enthusiasm, supporting Alma and her chosen charity, in our lovely t-shirts was really emotional and the fact that we’ve raised over £7500 just made this a most incredible event. Perhaps we need to do it again! Thank you to everyone involved!"
Lindsay Cummings said: "I loved being part of a determined, resourceful and capable team to support Alma, her family, and SCAA.
The support from the local community has really been overwhelming. Seeing all those people, from attendees to the support crew having a wee go, smiling and dancing was phenomenal! The inclusivity of the event was great and we had all ages joining in!
I’ve also now got a Zumba instructor network out of it and a whole load of ideas and inspiration from Lorraine and Donna.
Still buzzing.”
The Justgiving page remains open for another month and can be found here.
