Rowans Hospice: Zumba, Bollywood and clubbercise get pulses racing at Danceathon fundraiser

SHAKERS and movers of all ages united to put the fun into fundraising at a danceathon in aid of the Rowans Hospice.
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For six hours dancers from across Hampshire wore beaming smiles as they bopped to a host of genre-spanning tunes at the Mountbatten Centre on Sunday.

Dozens took part and earned bright-coloured wristbands for each routine they sampled, while their loved ones were able to watch on and show their support from the sidelines.

Ali Grover, 45 from Gosport, said: ‘I came along because I wanted to help raise as much money as I can for all the families who need it.

Sue Robson at the Danceathon in aid of the Rowans Hospice, Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (070419-15)Sue Robson at the Danceathon in aid of the Rowans Hospice, Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (070419-15)
Sue Robson at the Danceathon in aid of the Rowans Hospice, Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (070419-15)

‘First off was the clubbercise to warm us up, then we moved on to the show dance, then on to Bollywood – which was very energetic.

‘After that we did Zumba, which I think is the hardest thing I’ve ever done but it was definitely my favourite dance.’

When each dance finished, participants got a chance to catch a breather as a different instructor stepped into the limelight.

Zumba instructor Jenna Hiscock commanded an energetic crowd just after 1pm.

Suria Murugiah at the Danceathon in aid of the Rowans Hospice, at the Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (070419-14)Suria Murugiah at the Danceathon in aid of the Rowans Hospice, at the Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (070419-14)
Suria Murugiah at the Danceathon in aid of the Rowans Hospice, at the Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (070419-14)

‘When you come to events like this you don’t know how people are going to take you as an instructor,’ she said.

‘So when you see them smiling, laughing, moving around and really enjoying themselves, the energy you get is incredible.’

She added: ‘I had a father-in-law who had a brain tumour and went into the Rowans for respite.

‘Unfortunately he didn’t make it out, but the care they gave, not only for my father-in-law, but my mother-in-law and her sons, was just amazing. They’re a really worthy cause.’

Two friends have a chat during a break at the Danceathon in aid of the Rowans Hospice, at the Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (070419-16)Two friends have a chat during a break at the Danceathon in aid of the Rowans Hospice, at the Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (070419-16)
Two friends have a chat during a break at the Danceathon in aid of the Rowans Hospice, at the Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (070419-16)

The Danceathon is just one event scheduled as part of the Rowans Hospice’s fun-packed Silver Jubilee appeal, which has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds since it began in 2018.

Ruth White, the charity’s chief executive, hailed it a ‘great success’.

‘I thought people might try one or two dances then go home, but in fact the whole atmosphere has been so engaging that they’ve carried on – and six hours of different dancing is some feat,’ she said.

On the appeal so far, she added: ‘Everyone who has taken part and donated has been incredible.

The Danceathon in aid of the Rowans Hospice, at the Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (070419-10)The Danceathon in aid of the Rowans Hospice, at the Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (070419-10)
The Danceathon in aid of the Rowans Hospice, at the Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (070419-10)

‘We have always had wonderful support from the community and to have raised half a million pounds, in addition to what we need anyway, is amazing.

‘There’s still a way to go, but it’s really lovely to see the momentum coming and we hope more people will join in with events like this and be part of the Silver Jubilee Appeal.’