Strictly for a Good Cause

Monday 28 February 2011

A group of sports and leisure staff are honing their dance skills - strictly for a good cause.

Members of Coventry Sports Foundation have arranged their own ballroom dance competition to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust after a pupil at one of the dance schools run by the organisation passed away.

Finham Park School pupil Reena Patel, who was just 16-years-old when she died from cancer, was a regular attendee at Freeman Dance School which is part of Coventry Sports Foundation.

As a tribute to Reena, and to raise money for the charity, members of the organisation have signed up for an event entitled Strictly Dancing – where 12 couples will battle it out to be named as the best of the ballroom dancers.

Jade Falconer, Coventry Sports Foundation’s performing arts development officer, taught Reena in her role as an instructor at Freeman Dance School.

“Reena was a happy, lovely girl who was always smiling and I was very lucky to have taught her,” she said.

“Knowing Reena, and seeing what she went through, means this charity is very close to my heart and the hearts of the other members of the dance school.

“The level of support has been tremendous and rehearsals are going well so far.

“The ability levels are quite mixed. We have teamed up dance teachers with sports coaches, so we have footballers, trampolinists and rugby coaches trying to learn how to salsa, it has been quite a challenge!

“What we are doing is for a very important cause and what everybody hopes is that we can help to find a cure for this terrible disease.

”The dancers have been rehearsing since September and the showpiece event will take place at the Xcel Leisure Centre in Canley on Friday, April 8.

Wendy Jackson, community development manager at Coventry Sports Foundation, said: “Everyone taking part has given up their own time for weekly rehearsals and they have really put everything into this event which I think underlines just how much this cause means to them.

“We are hoping the performance in April will draw a big crowd – the couples are all having costumes made for the event and it will be quite spectacular visually.

“But we need all the support we can get and we would really appreciate it if any businesses or individuals who think they can help could get in touch.

”There are a number of ways to support the event including the sponsorship of couples taking part or by purchasing tickets for the evening priced at just £18.

For information on the full range of sponsorship opportunities available or to offer support contact Wendy on 02476 856956 or email wajackson@covsf.com.