Portsmouth News

Student's 24-hour dance marathon to boost Comic Relief

Chloe taking part in every themed class from society

- By BELINDA DICKINS Community reporter belinda.dickins@jpimedia.co.uk

A DANCER is set to take part in a 24-hour charity dance marathon as members of the public are invited to join in the fun.

Members of the University of Portsmouth Dance Society are putting together a day of themed classes to raise funds for Comic Relief.

On Friday and Saturday, live dance classes and virtual entertainm­ent will be hosted on Zoom for 24 hours as the team came up with a creative way of fundraisin­g while in person events are not possible.

Chloe Ellman-Baker, society president, is taking the marathon to the next level by participat­ing in each of the classes throughout the 24-hour period. Interior architectu­re and design student Chloe said: ‘We still have no clue what’s going on so we just wanted to plan something we know would go ahead.

‘I will be dancing for the entire 24 hours. It’s all for charity so I’m really excited.

‘It’s like a massive taster day so members of the public can come along and join in. People can come on for as many hours as they like!’

Each hour will be hosted by a different teacher from dance schools around the country.

Fun themes on the first day will include a Grease session and Disney-themed dances, while day two will showcase dance styles like ballroom, tap and street.

Participan­ts are encouraged to donate a minimum of £2 towards the society’s fundraisin­g efforts, and this will gain access to the Zoom meeting for the 24 hour marathon.

These efforts follow the launch of Chloe’s free online classes hosted with welfare secretary Sophie Kettell, which help provide some fun exercise for children who are learning from home currently.

Chloe said: ‘Hopefully this will promote some more interest and get people more enthusiast­ic for when we go back to in person classes.

‘The kids’ classes are amazing to see how excited and enthusiast­ic they are to come on. We see them every week now - they will all be joining for the kids’ sessions.’

Visit fb.me/e/1Yqw4jL1v for more informatio­n about timings and classes, or go to justgiving.com/fundraisin­g/updcdancea­roundthecl­ock to donate towards the society’s fundraiser for Comic Relief.

I will be dancing for the entire 24 hours. It’s all for charity so I’m really excited. Chloe Ellman-Baker

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The dancers back when they could all train together. Below, Chloe, left, and welfare secretary Sophie Kettell
CLASSES The dancers back when they could all train together. Below, Chloe, left, and welfare secretary Sophie Kettell

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