An audience of over 700 people packed the ballroom of the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel this week to watch and participate in a “Strictly Core Dancing” competition which was organised by Core Media to raise money for HUGS (Help Us Give Smiles), which works with children who have been orphaned by violence, poverty and AIDS in Africa.
The night showcased the dancing talents of 24 employees across the Core Media group. With support from RTE Media Sales, as the headline sponsor, all 12 couples had backing from media owners, clients, friends and family. A total of €18,000 was raised on the night. In addition, a team from Core Media has volunteered to visit and work with an orphanage in Kenya and will leave Ireland on Good Friday.
With routines as varied as the Cha-Cha-Cha to the Swing Jive, and even a pirate-inspired Viennese Waltz, the eventual winners on the night were Melissa Byrne and Colum O’Hara who, supported by PML, performed a show-stopping Mambo from Dirty Dancing – lifts included!
HUGS was co-founded by Sarah McDevitt who works with Radical, the group’s digital agency. The charity works with children orphaned by violence, poverty and AIDS in Africa. HUGS has been working in conjunction with Terry Child Support & Youth Resource Centre in Machakos, Kenya for over ten years. Terry’s is a community-based organisation that counters the plight of orphans and other less fortunate children. Every Easter, a number of Core Media employees head off to Kenya to volunteer. The event’s proceeds will be brought over and spent on vital equipment and supplies.
