A major dance event for school children across the north-east has been cancelled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Organisers of Make It Happen, which was expected to attract around 800 primary and secondary pupils, said it would no longer be going ahead on June 12 as planned.
Scores of children from across the UK were left disappointed when it was announced last year that the 2020 Rock Challenge event was cancelled due to “uncertain economic decesions.”
However, a committee was soon formed to establish a new event to take its place.
Youngsters from 12 different schools across Aberdeenshire had been excited to perform at P&J Live, determined to ensure the that those hours of practice would not go to waste.
But organisers said recent events now mean it can no longer go ahead.
A spokeswoman for the committee said: “It is with a massively heavy heart that the committee has to announce the cancellation of Make It Happen.
“In light of the current COVID-19 global pandemic and the uncertainty around when schools will return, it means that it will not be possible for the teams to rehearse and create a performance before the end of the academic year when some pupils will move on to secondary or higher education.”
She said by cancelling the event, it releases the Aberdeenshire Council Tackling Poverty and Inequality and Community Safety funding grants which “can be put to more critical use in supporting our community during this trying time”.
The spokeswoman for the Make It Happen committee added: “We would like to extend a huge amount of thanks to all who supported us, from the schools who signed up to participate to the businesses who came to our aid and, in particular many thanks to Aberdeenshire Council, Buchan Development Partnership and P&J Live.”
MP for Banff and Buchan, David Duguid has been a “big supporter” of the Make It Happen event and said: “It is entirely right that public gatherings such as these should be postponed.”
“The measures to contain and prevent the spread of COVID-19 have had a knock-on effect on all public events arranged for the coming months.
“It will be frustrating for those who were due to take part, but the pupils, staff and families will understand that combating this virus must come first.”
