A WEST FIFE dance troop is raising funds to compete in Dublin next month.

The New Movement Dance Company is set to compete at the World Lyrical Dance Competition (WLDC), held in Dublin.

A total of 22 girls are heading off on July 27 to represent Scotland at the WLDC and to make sure they get there, the New Movement dance mums have been working hard to raise the funds they need.

So far, they have held a ladies' day and, more recently, a family fun day to get the girls to the competition. At the fun day, held at the Ballast Centre in Inverkeithing last week, they raised a whopping £1,500.

Nicolle Carle, a committee member for New Movement Dance Company and proud mum of Ava, seven, told the Press: "The day was amazing from start to finish. The sun was shining and families from all over Fife attended.

"The turnout was bigger than we expected but we are so thankful for everyone who came along and made the day a great success. We are hoping to plan another one for August time and hope to see everyone return to have another great, fun-filled day!"

The money will go to funding their travels – now that the pandemic is over, there is added costs as many of the girls need to renew or apply for new passports on top of the accommodation and flights. For those with more than one girl going to compete, their costs are doubled or even tripled.

Nicolle continued: "One of the grandmothers who brings her grandchildren, she has three and they've all also qualified for the World Cup in Spain which is just a few weeks before we fly to Dublin so that has cost them over £5,000."

Some of the girls who are going to Dublin have also qualified for the Dance World Cup in Spain, meaning their parents have to fund two separate trips.

"We need to make sure we are making things as easy as possible and that all the kids get the opportunity, it's not just what people can afford. If we do anything, we want to be doing it as a team," Nicolle added.