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AN inspiring event will take place today for Lily-Mae Morrison, the four year-old daughter of Galway-based dancers Judith Sibley and Leighton Morrison, who has neuroblastoma, a rare and very aggressive form of cancer.
Ireland's top dancers and teachers have come together to organise a marathon of dance classes, entitled A Day of Dance for Lily-Mae, to be held in Dancehouse, Foley Street, off Dublin's Talbot Street. All are welcome. Classes are €10 (€5 children) and all funds goes to the Sunni Mae Trust, a charity supporting children affected with this crippling illness.
Lily-Mae, 4, likes dinosaurs and dancing. She's very sick at the moment and faces a long battle ahead. The Day of Dance will comprise 48 dance classes and there's something for everyone -- from age two to 92, from curious beginner to seasoned dancer.
Stars from Riverdance, Musical Theatre, classical ballet, and many others are teaching for free and dance students are coming from the whole country to lend their support. This event is just one part of a bigger campaign, which will also see a bid for a Christmas No 1.
A choir including many stars of the Irish music scene will record Elton John's Tiny Dancer, to be released later in the autumn.
Neuroblastoma affects around six to eight children in Ireland every year. Currently Lily-Mae has two friends in Crumlin Hospital also fighting it. Any advances from further research may benefit them all.
Information on today's event is available from Rionach Ni Neill, at 087 4121775, or from Paul Hayes, Lily-Mae's uncle, at 086 4089074 and paulhaze@hotmail.com.
