Help Emily Dance Again

Update: BIG LOVE & THANKS to each and every person who helped us reach this target. Your generosity allows us to cover the cost of Emily's surgery. We are going to keep this campaign open, so you can still donate and share, if you feel moved to. Any further funds raised will be put towards Emily's post-surgery/recovery/rehab costs (12 months of physiotherapy). Emily has reduced her workload since injuring herself and will need to take time off work following the surgery. So all past and any future donations will significantly ease the pressure on her. Many thanks again! xoxo

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My name is Amanda and I'm fundraising for my sister, Emily. Emily has been an active and enthusiastic community arts leader in the Blue Mountains for 18 years. Via her work in Hands, Heart & Feet, Emily has provided opportunities for hundreds of people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to connect, learn, dress up, have fun and play music together. As well as her engaging and inclusive community classes, Emily takes drumming, movement and story into primary and secondary schools, and mental health and refugee support spaces.

Emily has consistently lent her support to local festivals and fundraisers, often with little or no payment. Over the years, her joy-filled work has supported Reclaim the Night and International Women’s Day, IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia Biphobia and Transphobia), and countless other local and global issues and initiatives. In recent years, Emily has moved into mentorship roles, fostering young talented artists in the area to move, create, experiment and tell their stories with a similar humour, authenticity and social awareness.

This year, at her 23rd Winter Magic Festival, Emily tore her ACL (a ligament in the knee that enables twisting and turning). This did not stop Emily from completing the performance she’d planned for dozens of drummers and dancers. In the past few months, Emily as worked with a physiotherapist, attempting to stabilise the knee. Unfortunately, as many of you know, this effort was not successful and Emily will need to undergo surgery in December to reconstruct her left knee.

This is not the first time Emily has had to face major surgery on a knee. 10 years ago, Emily tore the ACL on her right knee. She was extremely dedicated during the months of rehab that followed her surgery, regaining full use of her knee and returning full strength to her work as a teacher of dance, drum and yoga. I hope you will join me in helping Emily to get back on her feet and back to work again! Emily’s surgery will cost $10K+ and will require extensive rehab and a break in her work. I know we’re in tough financial times but if you are in a position to contribute, every little bit helps. Many thanks! xoxo