YOUR favourite local paper is giving local charities the chance to take a share of a whopping £125k cash giveaway.

Our parent company’s charitable arm, The Gannett Foundation, is providing £125,000 in cash to support local charities across the country - and we are delighted to have a £20,000 share to give away in our area.

And we asked YOU to decide where this money should be spent. You nominated in your thousands and our editorial team chose a shortlist of eight charities - including Motion Control Dance - from these nominations that will share in the £20,000.

About Motion Control Dance:

Motion Control Dance, based in the Vale of Glamorgan, was set-up by dance tutor Emma Mallam and aims to enrich the lives of people through movement, giving everyone the chance to dance.

It had humble beginnings as YDance when it launched - in the Butts Community Centre - in 2000 before moving to Barry YMCA (where they opened a fully equipped dance studio with a sprung floor in 2019) the following year.

In 2005 YDance was re-named Motion Control Dance and in 2015 it became a registered charity.

Motion Control Dance offers classes and workshops in a variety of styles of dancing and accommodate people of all ages and abilities, including youngsters, older people, and people with disabilities.

Ms Mallam said: “Dance classes are a great way to promote healthy living and have been proven for people of all ages, shapes and sizes to stay fit.

“It has a wide range of physical and mental benefits that can enrich lives throughout our community.

“Working in the community for more than 20 years, we know that there is a need and value in our work as people are living longer and physical inactivity, obesity and mental health amongst young and old are becoming major health risks in Wales – our activity works to help combat this.

“Dance combines physical activity holistically with the engagement of the creative spirit, and encourages emotional and artistic expression in individuals, as well as connecting people socially.

“I did not anticipate how much my venture would grow when I started up in 2000 - I am delighted to say that for the past 20 years we have worked with over 2000 individuals each year through various projects of all ages and abilities.

“If anyone is interested in joining our movement sessions then please visit www.motioncontroldance.com or e-mail info@motioncontroldance.com”

What are the other seven charities shortlisted in this region?

In Wales and the South West the shortlist is:

  • Motion Control Dance
  • Sparkle
  • Helping Caring Team
  • Wish Upon a Star
  • Phoenix Bereavement Support
  • Ethos - Extending The Hand Of Support (known as The Living Room)
  • Chard & District Museum
  • St Giles Animal Rescue

How can I help?

During November, you are invited to collect tokens from our newspapers which can then be sent to collection points across our region or posted.

Each token collected will then be used to allocate cash to the nominated charity - so if your favourite charity collects 50 per cent of all the tokens collected, it will receive 50 per cent of the £20,000.

Collection points are at:

  • WH Smith, Windsor Road, Penarth;
  • Town News Xtra, Holton Road, Barry;
  • MCD Studio, YMCA Hub, Court Road, Barry.