‘My boy’s a real-life Billy Elliot!’ Mum launches campaign to send dedicated son to top ballet school
A SINGLE mum struggling on a low income is trying to raise £10,000 to send her “reallife Billy Elliot” son to a top ballet school.
William Roberts, 13, has always been a “little mover” since he was toddler and has had ballet and tap lessons since he was six. But now he is ready to “move into the ballet world” and has his sights set on Kings International Ballet Academy in Barwell, Leicestershire, which charges £10,000 each year. Mum Jane Roberts, 42, revealed not all children get the same chances in the performing arts industry.
She said: “It breaks my heart I can’t provide all that William needs to succeed.
“William loves Billy Elliot. His story is similar becausewilliam has come from such a humble background and he’s come far. It’s amazing really.
“I’m a single mum, I’m on a low income and I just want to help my son achieve his dream.
“He loves dancing and I want to show him dreams can come true.”
Jane is studying social psychology part-time at the Open University. She wants to broaden her career options to continue to support her son.
Six days a week,william travels six miles from his home in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, tothe Hammond, a specialist performing arts school in Chester.
Jane added: “In this day and age, everyone seems to show off with everything they have.what you have and your income plays a huge part in your chances.
“You see it particularly in ballet. Ballet is expensive but why should those wealthier families have more opportunities?the lower your income – the more your chances will diminish. My income is meagre.”
Jane says she wantswilliam’s joy to inspire other young male dancers. Her son is suspected of having autism and is awaiting an NHS assessment.
His mum had to quit her job as a carer last year due to ill-health. She has since recovered and intends to return to work.
But in her desperate bid to helpwilliam, she is also crowdfunding.
More than £2,300 has been raised so far – mostly from strangers – in the five days since the campaign started.
Jane said: “I couldn’t believe it when I woke up one morning as it had nearly reached £2,000. I was not expecting so many kind donations at all.
“They are mainly from strangers, people I haven’t even met and don’t know. It’s amazing.
“It restores your faith in humanity. It makes me happy to know there are nice people in this world.”
She added: “It is still unusual in this country for boys to do ballet.
“I think it’s difficult for boys William’s age to continue with it when they face peer pressure, and sometimes bullying, because it is rare and still seen as odd.
“So I want to help other families, show that passions like this should be embraced, regardless of backgrounds and income.
“William is probably autistic.we have been waiting for an assessment but the waiting list is very long. He’s managing everything so well because, with that and school work, it can be very tiring for him.
“It giveswilliam a drive. He has always worked so hard and tried his very best. I really am behind him in this.”
To donate, visit gofundme.com/f/ help-william-realise-his-ballet-dream
‘I want to show
him dreams do come true’