Image captured by David Ellison Photography.

Winter Carnival will warm up the shoppers while collecting donations to help children in extreme need this holiday season

Katumba, the largest drum ensemble in the North West, is pairing up with Liverpool One, Viva Brasil Samba Shows and this this holiday season to raise money for children in extreme need both in Liverpool and abroad with a one of a kind carnival parade this Saturday 10^th of December: Santa drummers drumming and samba dancers will be entertaining the shopping crowd on a winter carnival extravaganza.

The parade starts at 12pm in front of Sugar House steps (by John Lewis) and continues throughout L1 until 2pm, bringing a lively atmosphere to the shoppers while collecting money for much needed causes, proceeds will: provide emergency assistance and safe spaces for children victims of war (through War Child); help Katie, age four, from Wallasey, who has been diagnosed with leukaemia for a second time and is awaiting a bone marrow transplant and last but not least an orphanage in Brazil.

Juliana Landim, Katumba’s Co-Director explains: “One of our main missions in Katumba is to give back to the community and support those in need through our art form. We do that on a regular basis through our activities that are not only fun, but have a positive effect on those struggling with anxiety & depression, social isolation, low self-stem, sedentary life style, etc…this holiday season though, we want to bring all the music, movement and energy we create to help some of those who are most vulnerable this season: children who are suffering the effects of life-threatening diseases or whose lives are in danger due to acts of war in their countries.

On Saturday we will be entertaining the crowds doing their Christmas shopping, but also collecting to help those that are less fortunate. Come join us for our winter carnival, and if you have even £1 to spare, that will sure help! Big “obrigada” to Liverpool One for coming on board!”

For those not in Liverpool One/City Centre area on Saturday, you can still donate on our website www.katumba.co.uk or directly to the efforts mentioned https://www.gofundme.com/save-katie-help-raise-120k  ; www.warchild.org.uk

If you missed them performing for the Santa Dash this past Sunday, you can catch our drummers drumming this Saturday, joined by fantastic samba dancers: Simone Reeves from Viva Brasil Samba Show and The Anahis, says “ we didn’t think twice in joining forces with Katumba to do this and help Ellie as well as many other children here in Liverpool and abroad. Chilli weather and samba dancers doesn’t usually come together, but we shall don our amazing headdresses and bring the heat to Liverpool 1! We invite everyone to come by have a look and join us with a shimmy and a shake, and more importantly spare a change for this cause.”

Website         www.katumba.co.uk

Facebook      Facebook/katumbadrumming

Twitter           @katumbabloco

ENDS

A message from the three charitable efforts:

War Child

Aims to reach children as early as possible when conflict breaks out, and stay to support them through their recovery – helping to keep them safe, give them an education, and equip them with skills for the future. War Child understands children’s needs, respect their rights, and put them at the centre of the solution – from supporting Syrian children to access education, to reintegrating child soldiers in the Central African Republic and promoting justice for young people in detention in Afghanistan. https://www.warchild.org.uk/

Save Katie and Family

Katie has leukaemia initially diagnosed in 2013, after nearly 3 years of treatment endless operations and procedure she finally finished treatment 7 months ago. We had a huge end of treatment party to celebrate the end of the worse part of our lives. All Katie’s friends and family had the best night of their lives, the pain suffering was finally over and we had our Katie alive! Her strength and resilience was even recognised when she won The Pride of Merseyside Courage Award 2015…Yesterday we got the devastating news it was back, after we fought so hard, after we thought it was all over! It was back!
Unfortunately relapse is not as easy to battle as initial diagnosis and we have been informed that the best chance of having our beautiful angel survive, is to have immunotherapy  treatment in Seattle, but only one child per month in the UK are accepted for the life saving treatment just 5% of all children’s relapses, due to the cost.
We have been informed we need to gather funds in case we are not the “lucky ones” chosen for this treatment to save our girl. Please help save Katie’s life! Donate anything you can, all funds will go to help another child with cancer if Katie gets chosen.

https://www.gofundme.com/save-katie-help-raise-120k 

Creche Joana de Angelis

Children educational centre at an orphanage serving one of the poorest communities in Recife-Brazil. Believing that every child deserves access to education and food, the centre provides a place for children who otherwise would be on the streets, education and food.

http://www.cejoannadeangelis.com.br/

About Katumba:

Katumba is the North West’s largest, and newest, drum ensemble. With 80 drummers-and counting- Katumba Bloco* celebrates diversity and multiculturalism through music, movement and visuals.

Our  ‘Katumba Pro’ delivers a smaller troupe (which can be an all-female band if desired) with an astonishing level of movement and musicality that never fails to set streets, stages and stadia ablaze with positive energy!
Founded by Musical Director Ritchie Tunstall (formerly of Batala Liverpool), and Brazilian Movement Director Juliana Landim, Katumba artfully fuses traditional Brazilian rhythms and modern beats, and high impact choreography all around.

*Part of the BrazUKa International family, Katumba has a strong ethical and cultural identity, bringing communities together, increasing Health & Wellbeing through music & movement and developing local, national and international connections.