YOUR favourite local paper is giving local charities the chance to take a share of a whopping £125k cash giveaway.

Our parent company’s charitable arm, The Gannett Foundation, is providing £125,000 in cash to support local charities across the country - and we are delighted to have a £20,000 share to give away in our area.

And we asked YOU to decide where this money should be spent. You nominated in your thousands and our editorial team chose a shortlist of eight charities from these nominations that will share in the £20,000.

Motion Control Dance, in Vale of Glamorgan, made the shortlist – it aims to enrich the lives of people through movement, giving everyone the chance to dance, offering a varied and inclusive programme.

Angela Wong, whose non-verbal autistic son has been a member since 2016, said: “It is his favourite after school activity, and he thoroughly enjoys his dance sessions which are supervised by amazing and dedicated dance tutors.”

Penarth Times:

Another parent, Irene Parow, praised Motion Control Dance which has helped her son who had Downs Syndrome.

Ms Parow said: “He has come on leaps and bounds since he started. Originally, he was disruptive but with the support of the two specialist teachers he has developed his dance skills, his social skills, and his ability to work alongside others. As the tutors are proficient in Makaton, they have also supported him with signing which is very helpful.”

Motion Control Dance caters to all ages and would use any additional money to help bring dance to older people, helping them keep fit and avoid social isolation.

Sue Edmonds has attended their classes and said: "As a senior person I have found the classes for us at Motion Control Dance have been so beneficial. It's a fun atmosphere and it has certainly helped my fitness and mobility." 

Penarth Times:

At the end of 2019 Motion Control Dance’s studio, based in the YMCA Hub in Barry, was transformed into a fully equipped dance studio, with a new sprung floor.

Dancer Dionne McCarthy said: "I love coming to dance at Motion Control because I see my friends and learn new things. I also love our new studio as it allows me to express my feelings in a safe place." 

Penarth Times:

Now we are putting the power to allocate the cash back into the hands of our readers – during November, you are invited to collect tokens from our newspapers which can then be sent to collection points across our region or posted.

Each token collected will then be used to allocate cash to the nominated charity - so if your favourite charity collects 50 per cent of all the tokens collected, it will receive 50 per cent of the £20,000.

Collection points are at:

  • WH Smith, Windsor Road, Penarth;
  • Town News Xtra, Holton Road, Barry;
  • MCD Studio, YMCA Hub, Court Road, Barry.

The full shortlist Wales is:

  • Motion Control Dance
  • Sparkle
  • Helping Caring Team
  • Wish Upon a Star
  • Phoenix Bereavement Support
  • Ethos - Extending The Hand Of Support (known as The Living Room).
  • Chard & District Museum
  • St Giles Animal Rescue