A group of young performers from Oldham entertained travellers at Europe's busiest airport to raise awareness of disabilities.
The dancers and drummers, aged 14 to 26 who train with the Mossley-based outdoor arts organisation, Global Grooves, took part in a series of events to mark "international day of persons with disabilities" on Sunday, December 3.
One-third of Global Grooves identify as having a disability or being neurodivergent, including CJ Knaggs from Watersheddings, Mally Harley from Lees and Siobhan Shumba from Littlemoor.
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The team of 13, made up of nine drummers and four dancers, delivered 10 "feel good carnival" performances over the day, entertaining passengers in terminals 2, 3 and 5 at Heathrow airport in partnership with British Airways.
CJ Knaggs, a dancer, percussionist and band leader, said: "Performing at Heathrow with Global Grooves was one of the best experiences I've ever participated in."
The 18-year-old added: "This weekend was a special one for me personally because I'm autistic, and it's bee so incredibly special to represent that."
Other young people who performed at Heathrow with the arts organisation came from Tameside, Rochdale, Manchester, Durham, Glasgow, Leicester, Isle of Wight, Liverpool and London.
For many of the group, it was their first flight or visit to London and for others, the day represented their first public performance with Global Grooves.
The young people who took part are all current or former participants in Global Grooves' future leaders scheme.
The free biennial programme offers expert training to young people aged 12 to 25 from all over the country who are passionate about music, dance, or visual arts.
Successful applicants are invited to a series of residentials at the Northern Carnival Centre of Excellence, which is based at The Vale in Mossley.
Holly Prest, co-founder of Global Grooves who accompanied the group to Heathrow, said: "The event promoted visibility of disability issues to mobilise support for the dignity, rights, and wellbeing of people with disabilities.
"Our Future Leaders, including those with lived experience of disability, brought feelgood carnival energy to a smiling crowd of thousands across multiple terminals, arrivals areas, and even airport lifts.
"We loved working with our friends at Cabasa to create our 'not all disabilities are visible' banner specially for the day.
"We want to extend a huge thank you to British Airways, the Heathrow Airport team, and Wilson James for inviting and supporting our young performers to take part in such an important event."
Long-term partner, British Airways, has supported "future leaders" students from the UK to travel to further their study and professional development.
The partnership has also enabled young people from countries including India, Singapore, New Zealand, Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago to attend masterclasses at the Carnival Centre in Mossley.
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