Spectacular Rock Challenge® tour, supported by Genesis Community, hits London – and gives kids a natural high

Twenty-four schools from across 10 London boroughs are preparing to dazzle at Hackney Empire in the London heats of the 2008 Rock Challenge.®

Spectacular dance, drama and music performances will take place on Tuesday 29 April, Wednesday 30 April and Thursday 1 May 2008 as schools compete with professionally-produced eight-minute productions on a theme of their choice, set to commercially available rock music. Team sizes range from between 10 to 134 seven to eighteen-year-olds.

The London school children join thousands of young people across the UK wowing audiences nationwide, as they sign up to this international programme which encourages young people to lead healthy lifestyles and be their best without tobacco, alcohol or drugs.

Large numbers of London schools have become involved in the last year as The Rock Challenge® takes off in the UK. Each child has to sign a contract when they join up – to pledge that they won’t use drugs.

For the first year ever, there will be a London junior event. Nine primary schools will perform their productions at Hackney Empire, on Wednesday 30 April.

Genesis Community, the charitable arm of Genesis Housing Group, has donated £10,000 towards supporting the Rock Challenge.® It has also provided office space and the support of their senior youth ambassadors who have helped at events. The Be Your Best Foundation raises the overall funds to produce it. It builds partnerships in each participating community by involving students, teachers, parents, local business, police forces, community leaders, statutory and government agencies and the media.

The Rock Challenge® finals take place at Portsmouth Guildhall on 22 and 23 May.

The 2008 Rock Challenge® will finish off this year’s heats by collaborating with partner, The Big Dance to hold a massive dance outside the Lord Mayor of London’s office, hosted by the Mayor, on 8 July 2008. The aim is to inspire more people to take part in dance – and anyone can join in. The event will see mass participation by people from all over the UK and plans for live video link-ups with Rock Challenge® participants from around the world are underway.

Hans Emblad, former Director of the World Health Organization’s Substance Abuse Programme, said “In my 30 or 40 years of experience of combating drug, alcohol or tobacco misuse, this is by far the most effective preventative action I have come across, one of the very few preventative activities to have a proven record of being successful, and I think anybody who considers these problems important in the world and have the possibility and the means to make a contribution should seriously consider supporting the Rock Challenge."

Iain Mackechnie-Jarvis, Head of Genesis Community, said: “This worldwide event is a superb initiative that not only provides stunning entertainment for audiences, but most importantly is changing the way young people see themselves and equipping them with essential skills to become responsible, fulfilled adults. This is exactly the kind of partnership working Genesis Community is proud to be a part of.”

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