Dancer sets up a blog appeal to launch career

Sep 6 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

A TALENTED North East dancer with “unbelievable potential” has launched her own blog in a bid to attract sponsorship for an exclusive London school.

Carmel Bondswell, 18, of Hollywood Avenue, Gosforth, Newcastle, hopes the unusual move will give her the financial support she needs to study at London’s Laban Trinity College.

The teenager, who has been dancing since she was three-years-old, won a place at the school after training in contemporary ballet at Dance City, Newcastle, and performing with the Northern Youth Dance Company.

She now wants to become a world-class performer at one of the best specialist dance schools in Europe, but fears she will not be able to achieve her dream without help.

Carmel, a former pupil at Dame Allan’s school in Newcastle, said: “To make it possible for me to follow my dream, I need to raise enough money to support myself.

“The performance aspect of the college work means that there will be little time, if any, to earn money during term, so I’m seeking the support of individuals and companies in the North East and that is why I have created this blog. Their help could really change my life.”

Her mother, Brenda McDougall, 47, an education welfare officer, said: “I support her and my 12-year-old son on my wage. This has meant I haven’t been able to help her achieve her dreams as much as I would have liked financially.”

In return for financial support, the teenager’s blog, Carmelinperformance.blogspot.com, offers corporate sponsors a monthly newsletter, articles and photos for their websites, a framed letter of thanks and use of her image in product or corporate brochures.

For individuals she promises regular up-dates, tickets to see her dance and “the knowledge that you are helping make someone’s dream come true”.

Emma Dunn, Dance City contemporary dance teacher, said: “What a treat to watch her in performance. Her attitude towards other students is excellent and her potential is unbelievable.”

Pete Huggins, associate director at Dance City and Northern Youth Dance Company, said: “Carmel is a very creative dancer and a consummate performer who constantly delivers the goods.

“She presents maturity and confidence on stage and off the stage is a well-motivated, reliable young girl with great potential due to the love she has for dance.”

If you would like to sponsor Carmel she can be contacted at carmelinperformance@hotmail.co.uk.