Rebekah's Fund

TEENAGE girl is pulling out all the punches for the opportunity of a lifetime.
Sixteen-year-old Rebekah Mather from Widnes has been offered a place to train at the prestigious Laine Theatre College in London but is struggling to find money for tuition fees.
After being offered a scholarship to train full time at The Hammond School in Chester, Rebekah auditioned for just one of 70 places available at Laine Theatre College.
Although she beat thousands for a place, she did not receive the funding she needed to go.
With tuition for the three years costing £65,000 Rebekah’s Fund was set up by her mother Jane Arkell, 35, in a bid to raise the cash.
Mrs Arkell said: “She’s been dancing since she was a little tot and she’s always loved it.
“We’re doing all we can.”
Rebekah’s step-father, Graeme Arkell, 28, is taking on the three peak challenge in just 24 hours in hope to raise more cash.
She has performed at the Empire Theatre numerous times and even trained with the Royal Ballet School but dreams of performing on the West End.
Rebekah said: “I was really devastated when I found out I wouldn’t get a grant.”
If she is lucky enough to raise more than the astounding £65,000 she needs to attend, the rest will be donated to the BBC Arts Fund to help other young people who are in similar situations.
Rebekah said: “It would be really good to carry Rebekah’s fund on for teenagers who are in the same position.”
To donate or find out more about Rebekah’s story visit http://www.rebekahsfund.co.uk/.

This story appeared in the Livepool Daily Post on 23/06/2010.