APA Dance Academy Fundraising Ball Raises £2,000 For Sick Kids

A Dudley couple who threw an Oscars themed ball have raised over £2,110 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, as thanks for the treatment their son received for a kidney condition. 

Dan and Alexandra Brissett, who own and teach at APA Dance and Sport Academy in Tipton, got their dance students involved to open the ‘showbiz’ style ball inspired by the ongoing care their three-year-old son, Tyson, receives at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.  

Before Tyson was even born, doctors had broken the news to Dan and Alexandra that their pregnancy scans showed an abnormality around their baby’s kidney and they knew that he would need treatment as soon as he entered the world. Sure enough, Tyson was born with a condition called Horseshoe Kidney or Renal Fusion, which mean that his kidneys were fused together and sat lower in this abdomen than usual.  

Tyson was referred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital and for the first year of his life, he relied on medication to help his kidneys function. Tyson’s condition meant he was prone to kidney infections and at such a young age, the infections lead to seizures, which were terrifying for his parents to witness but with every admission to the hospital, they were blown away by the standard of treatment and care their baby received. 

Two years on, Tyson is doing well and returns to Birmingham Children’s Hospital for regular appointments. Every time they visit, the family are reminded of the same excellent care so many patients receive and that’s what inspired their ball, which took place at the Village Hotel in Dudley. 

Dan and Alexandra’s students were thrilled to take part in a show to open the event, with younger dancers dressed in gold as ‘Oscars’ and the older dancers in spectacular glitzy outfits. Attendees also helped to raise funds by buying raffle tickets in the hope of winning various sports memorabilia, trips and experiences. 

Dan said: “We couldn’t have asked for any better treatment or care than Birmingham Children’s Hospital has given Tyson and we know he’s not the only one, so we wanted to give back and thank the staff and help the hospital carry on its fantastic work for all the kids who may need it in the future. 

“We’re so grateful to all our dancers, everyone who helped make our ball a success and everyone who attended on the evening to help us raise such a fantastic amount. It was such a special event shared with our nearest and dearest and it means so much that we can give back to the hospital.” 

Miranda Williams, Head of Public Fundraising at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “We’re so pleased to hear that Dan, Alexandra and their family knew that they were in the best hands when it came to Tyson’s treatment, even though those first 12-months of his life must have been incredibly daunting. 

“We're so grateful for the incredible amount Dan and Alexandra’s raised at their spectacular ball, which will go on to help us improve the hospital experience for so many more kids, just like Tyson.” 

For further information on APA Dance Academy’s classes for dance, musical theatre, gymnastics, sports and more, follow @apa_official._ on social media.