Zumbathon - a fun way to find funds

An Cosán Zumbathon

An Cosán, a women's centre for learning, leadership and social enterprise based in Jobstown, Tallaght, have taken to some innovative ways to raise money.

Aisling Freeman has a voluntary fundraising role with the organisation. “We hope to do at least two fundraisers a year,” she says, “In 2011, we held a do in the Maldron Hotel which was very successful. We raised €6,000.” 

Her most recent fundraising activity with the group was a Guinness World Record attempt, which took place in the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght on February 12th.

Dubbed ‘The zumbathon’, the attempt was to get as many people zumba-ing in one place at one time as possible. 

Zumba is a latin-dance inspired workout routine that is garnering popularity throughout the nation. “I regularly take part in a Zumba class myself,” Aisling says, “It’s a great workout, a fantastic way to unwind and a lot of fun too.”

Adults were charged €11 to attend, while a family ticket (two adults, two children) retailed at €25. The hope was to get as many as 3,000 attendees and they managed almost 500. It was a success when fun and fundraising are measured. 

“We raised about €4,000,” Aisling says, “and everyone who came had a fantastic time.” The hope now is for it to become an annual event, and that eventually the record will be broken. 

“That’s the aim,” she says, “the more people hear about how much of a fun activity it is, the more people we will attract to the record attempt. ”

Another very successful fundraising attempt for An Cosán took place on International Woman’s Day, March 8th, when they held a lunch in the Shelbourne Hotel featuring Miriam O’Callaghan as MC and Minister Joan Burton as guest of honour.