A FATHER from Knighton has put together a fundraising scheme, which involves golf lessons to raise money for his son in order for him to make it to an acclaimed ballet competition.
Duncan Saul, 19, from Heartsease, near Knighton, started dancing when he was just three-years-old, and won a scholarship when he was just 11-years-old to the Hammond School in Chester.
From there he joined the Manx Ballet Company in the Isle of Man, where he was scouted for a full scholarship by the owner of Ballet West Dance School, which has recently completed a six-week tour of China.
The next step for the youngster, is to compete in the highly acclaimed Genee International Ballet Competition in London next month, which will cost approximately £500 and Duncan’s father Dennis Saul, said that this would be a “fantastic opportunity” for his son.
“The Genee Competition is held in various places in the world, it is the recognised ballet competition and Duncan is entering it. The standards are very high, you need to have a RAD advance level 2, which is hard enough to get,” he said.
“It’s £5,000 and a gold medal if you win. If he wins then it is the key to the world. Winners almost get a choice of who they work for and Duncan’s going for it.
“He has excelled in what he does and works really hard.”
Given the nickname the ‘Welsh Billy Elliot’ when he made it to the final three in auditions for the West End musical five years ago, Duncan is now getting money together to fund his way to the competition and Dennis is doing what he can to help him.
He added: “Duncan needs to get some money to get there, but with me only on a pension it gets a bit tight.
“Another of my sons has cut five target greens in a field near our house that has a range of about 300 yards. I will be doing half an hour lessons and it will be £4 for 80 balls.
"They call me ‘the legend’, I’m not blowing my own trumpet but I am a good teacher.
“If I can do three or four lessons a week then that’s £40 that we didn't have before.”
If you would like golf lessons with Dennis and help him raise the funds for Duncan’s road to the Genee Ballet Competition then call 07939 081547.