​Hip-hop horray – dance charity receives makeover boost

An award-winning charity supporting 36,000 people with access to free dance, health and wellbeing programmes is looking forward to a brighter future after winning £1,000 of DIY and decorating materials. DanceWest, in West London, scooped the prize through Leyland SDM’s Give London a Lift campaign. 

Decorating and DIY specialist Leyland SDM, which has 32 stores across London, has given away £10,000 worth of materials in the last 12 months through the scheme. DanceWest is planning to refresh its dance studios with the materials. The group’s programmes are delivered across West London boroughs including Brent, Hammersmith & Fulham, Hounslow, Richmond, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston and Westminster. 

Rosie Whitney-Fish, DanceWest founder, said: “This prize from Leyland SDM is a tremendous boost. We’re really thrilled to receive this support. Our mission is to engage people of all ages and abilities in high quality dance activity, which has been proven to improve mental and physical wellbeing. We believe that dance enriches lives and is the catalyst for positive change in our community. Our facilities need constant maintenance. These materials from Leyland SDM will allow us to carry out work and make our home even more inviting for the many thousands of people who use them.” DanceWest will visit Leyland SDM’s Fulham North store on 375 North End Road.

The 2021 Give London a Lift campaign was backed by former England and Arsenal footballer Paul Merson. Other winners in 2021 included Brixton Soup Kitchen, Acton Arts Project, The Brompton Fountain, South London Refugee Association, Dalgarno Trust and Caxton House Community Centre.

Jonathan Jennings, CEO at Leyland SDM, said: “We’re pleased to be able to support DanceWest and the work it does in West London. Dance is a great way for people to come together and stay active. We launched Give London a Lift to support good causes across the capital. We have now provided £20,000 worth of materials to 20 different groups over two years and that has made a difference to many people. We’re proud to be at the heart of communities across our home city.”

Leyland SDM has become one of the most recognisable and trusted decorating and DIY retail brands in central London with stores in some of the capital’s most prominent locations.

In November the growing business opened its eighth new store of 2021 when it cut the ribbon on its Bayswater premises at 96 Bishop's Bridge Road, London W2 5AA.

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