MGA Raises £382 for Children in Need with Creative ‘Challenge 25’ Week
Source: BBC Look East - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mj5w
Students across the Michelle Gauci Academy (MGA) in Huntingdon have been busy embracing creativity, confidence and community spirit, all while raising an incredible £382.30 for BBC Children in Need.
During the week of 10-14 November, our studios were bursting with excitement as more than 200 students across 16 dance, drama and singing groups took on this year’s national “Challenge 25” theme. The aim? To stretch their imagination, try something new, and come together to support a brilliant cause.
And they all absolutely rose to the challenge! From arriving to class in cosy pyjamas to taking on their 25-themed activities, our young performers filled the buildings with energy and laughter:
🎭 Drama students mastered 25 different accents from across the UK
🎤 Singing groups experimented with 25 vocal sounds, from buzzing and humming to vowel work
💃 Dance classes explored 25 dance styles, including salsa, Greek dancing, haka, waacking and more
The creativity and enthusiasm throughout the week was amazing! And even caught the attention of the BBC!
📻 BBC Radio Cambridgeshire Appearance
On 13 November, Michelle and student Oliver joined Dotty McLeod live on the BBC Radio Cambridgeshire Breakfast Show to talk about Challenge 25.
Oliver, who takes part in dance, drama and singing at MGA, shared what he enjoyed most about Challenge 25, even performing his best “buzz” live on air! He also spoke about discovering waacking, a style he found exciting and full of energy.
Michelle added:
“The school has grown so much in the past few years, we now have 200 students across 16 different groups. Getting the two hundred students together to complete this has been a challenging but really enjoyable one.”
📺 BBC Look East Feature
The very next evening, on 14 November, our students appeared on BBC Look East, proudly introducing the broadcast just before the Children in Need show began. They showcased snippets of their dance challenges, a huge moment for our academy and something the students were incredibly excited about.
💛 A Fantastic Result for a Fantastic Cause
Thanks to the enthusiasm of our students and the generosity of our families, we raised £382.30 (including Gift Aid).
We are incredibly proud of every single student who took part. Challenge 25 was a reminder of what makes MGA special; creativity, teamwork, and a big commitment to supporting our wider community.
🎥 Highlights from Challenge 25
Below you can enjoy a selection of videos and moments captured throughout the week, a wonderful celebration of everything our students achieved together.
Thank you once again to all our students and families for making Challenge 25 so special!
