Riverdance announces Childhood Cancer Ireland as charity partner for summer run
Riverdance is back at the Gaiety Theatre starting their summer run there tomorrow evening. Each year the smash hit show partners with a charity for its summer run. Today it was announced that the show’s charity partner for this summer’s run is Childhood Cancer Ireland, a parent and survivor-led organisation.
Through this partnership Riverdance hopes to help raise funds and awareness for Childhood Cancer Ireland. Every year an average of 369 children, adolescents and young adults (age 0 – 24), are diagnosed with cancer in Ireland. Childhood Cancer Ireland provides valuable emotional services, as well as practical supports to families from the moment of diagnosis. Childhood Cancer Ireland understands the impact that a diagnosis of childhood cancer has on the entire family and aim to support and empower children, young people and their families at all stages of their treatment and beyond.
The main event of the partnership takes place on 20th June when a 12-hour Riverdanceathon will take place in front of the Gaiety Theatre. Funds raised will go to Childhood Cancer Ireland.
Over 500 dancers from dance schools across Ireland take part in the Riverdanceathon. Members of the Riverdance cast also join in to start the event just before 10am and again at lunchtime to perform 3 numbers from the show on the Gaiety Plaza as well as bringing it all to an end that evening. Riverdancers are also there throughout the day to encourage and work with younger dancers.
Also on 20th June some dance enthusiasts connected with Childhood Cancer Ireland will have a chance to take part in the show, training with the troupe and joining the finale of that evening’s performance. Among those taking part are an Oncologist, a teenage survivor of childhood cancer and parents of children who have been supported by the work of the charity.
Speaking at the launch, Laura Cullinan, CEO of Childhood Cancer Ireland and parent of a survivor said: “It’s a great privilege for Childhood Cancer Ireland to be chosen as charity partner for Riverdance and their run in The Gaiety Theatre this summer. A partnership like this brings great visibility and awareness to the subject of childhood cancer, which really helps families to feel less alone at a hugely challenging and isolating time in their lives. We are very grateful to all of the dance schools who will participate in the Riverdanceathon on 20th June to raise funds to support our work and to the members of our community who will bravely take to the stage with the talented Riverdance cast for their moment of glory!”
Riverdance Director, John McColgan, said “We are proud to support the inspirational work of Childhood Cancer Ireland, supporting children, adolescents and young adults with cancer, survivors and their families. And we are sincerely grateful to the over 500 young Irish dancers who take part in our annual Riverdanceathon and to our own Riverdance cast who so willingly and generously give their time and talent to fundraise for Childhood Cancer Ireland.
It is a privilege to welcome the children, their siblings and parents who are dealing with childhood cancer treatment to perform with the Riverdance cast on the Gaiety Theatre stage on the evening of the Riverdanceathon. We hope that by sharing our passion for music and dance that we create a memorable and enjoyable experience for them and their community.”
Riverdance runs at the Gaiety Theatre from 5th June – 8th September. This is Riverdance completely reimagined! A powerful and stirring reinvention of the global phenomenon, celebrated for its Grammy Award-winning score and the extraordinary energy and passion of its Irish and international dance. Composer Bill Whelan has rerecorded his mesmerizing soundtrack while producer Moya Doherty and director John McColgan have completely reimagined the ground-breaking show with innovative and spectacular lighting, projection, stage and costume designs.
The 2024 summer season will also include a Riverdance Sensory Friendly Show, which will take place at the Gaiety Theatre on Sunday 23 June at 1pm. The Sensory Friendly performance is a relaxed show which welcomes everyone to experience Riverdance in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Profits from this show will go towards the work of Childhood Cancer Ireland.