Hucknall's Believe Academy can pay for new dancefloor - and stay in base - thanks to councillor grants

Believe Academy, whose members starred in Hucknall’s Christmas lights switch-on event, have received the money from two of the town’s county councillors, Dave Shaw and Lee Waters (both Ash Ind).

The money has been donated through Nottinghamshire County Council’s divisional fund and will help cover costs associated with running the academy on Portland Road.

As well as running its arts and dance classes, the academy also goes into schools to deliver a life skills programme to years five and six pupils to prepare them and their parents for the journey of adolescence and transitioning to secondary school.

The group aims to help people build confidence and self-belief through dance and musical theatre.

Its students include youngsters aged three right through to pensioners who love their rock and waltz classes for the over-60s.

Couns Shaw and Waters were delighted to support the organisation and visited founder Simone Witherden, her teaching team and students to present them with their cheques.

Simone said: “There’s something amazing that happens here on Portland Road.

"Our teachers and mentors help with all ages and we are passionate about music and dance and the confidence it instils for life in people.

"Covid was obviously a struggle, like it was for everyone, but we’re coming out of it now and plan to be bigger and help more people.

"We were delighted to perform at the Hucknall Christmas lights switch-on as we are community-based and want to help our community thrive.

"We’d like to thank Couns Shaw and Waters for the generous donations to our cause – it will go towards helping Hucknall people.”

Coun Shaw said: “Simone and the team at the Believe Academy do an amazing job for all ages. I am delighted to back the team to continue the excellent work they do for the Hucknall community.”

Coun Waters added: “They are a credit to Hucknall and we hope our small contribution can go a big way to helping them continue the positive difference they make.”