Principals and staff from a part-time franchise theatre school have really got behind their students by taking part in two of the most challenging races in the UK. They are doing this to raise money for their charity, Future Fund, which aims to support students in further education.

The Wolf Run in Stanford Hall, Leicestershire, is a 10k off-road run featuring a series of man-made and natural obstacles located throughout the course. The concept behind the event is to re-create the feeling of running in natural terrain so that people can experience natural, raw running conditions with a variety of challenging and interesting obstacles.

Gelt Gladiator in Gelt Woods, Brampton, is an endurance event series where runners trail through the woods to take on some fantastic challenges on nearby farm land and Moto Cross Track. The event has been designed for the toughest athlete and those new to this type of challenge. Participants have to overcome 20 obstacles in over a 6k distance.

Razzamataz’s Future Fund charity has been set up to support a Razzamataz student who is going on to study a full time performing arts course in college. As part of its commitment to its students, Razzamataz will help finance a scholarship for an exceptionally talented and dedicated student who attends one of the part-time schools across the UK.

“We are very proud of each and every principal, staff member, supportive parent and wonderful student who got involved and helped us raise money for our charity.”

Events such as Wolf Run and Gelt Gladiator are designed to pull you out of your comfort zone by testing your physical strength, stamina and mental determination. Razzamataz principals had to work together, as a team, to get through the mud and freezing water with many of the obstacles requiring help from their team mates.

“This kind of event is definitely not my thing,” says Kayleigh Redford, principal of Razzamataz Newcastle. “So I was definitely apprehensive about signing up but we vowed to start and finish it as a team and that’s exactly what we did! Every team member found different obstacles difficult but we helped, motivated and supported each other and I think that’s what the day was about.”

A strong and positive mindset was crucial to complete the course and is something that Razzamataz help their principals achieve. At the company’s conference last year, principals were challenged to walk on fire in order to show that most challenges in life are simply mind over matter.

The Razzamataz team is delighted to have raised funds for the charity, and the money still continues to roll in. Students now have the opportunity to audition for the Future Fund award at the Pineapple Dance studios in Covent Garden, London. Last year’s recipient of the Future Fund is currently studying at the prestigious Arts Ed school.

Razzamataz offers a wide range of performing arts styles for children with classes in dance, drama and singing. Students experience various genres from classic West End musical theatre, to pop singing and street dance. In all sessions, the emphasis is on having fun and bringing out the creativity and unique potential in each and every student.

There are almost 50 part-time Razzamataz schools up and down the UK with principals coming from a wide range of backgrounds, achieving successful businesses that fit flexibly around their lifestyles.

There are many parents (and a grandparent) with young children, teachers who have left the profession to focus on Razzamataz, and performers who combine working professionally with being a school principal.