“It just goes to show that you are never too old to dance, learn a new skill, perform at packed out venues”
The Dance Unlimited Show Steppers perform Chicago in aid of Liverpool Women’s Hospital(Image: The Dance Unlimited Show Steppers)
A Liverpool dance troupe whose oldest member is 76 years old proved age is nothing but a number as they took to the stage with their “hot honey rag”. The dancers raised £80,000 for Liverpool Women’s Hospital in a Strictly Come Dancing-themed show, helping fund bereavement rooms and vital equipment for the maternity department.
Performing dances from the musical “Chicago” at The Titanic Hotel, Dance Unlimited Show Steppers captain Hazel Langdon said: “I am incredibly proud of my amazing dance troupe whose average age is 58 years old. Turning up every week for rehearsals, purchasing costumes and accessories and raising huge amounts for charity.
“It just goes to show that you are never too old to dance, learn a new skill, perform at packed out venues whilst keeping fit and becoming a member of a disciplined team. They tell me I’ve made their dreams come true, but believe me they are the dream makers.”
Dance Unlimited, which specialises in ballroom, Latin, Latino, and sequence styles, welcomes members aged 36 to 76. Their recent “Strictly For Liverpool Women’s Hospital” event was the third of its kind, and raised more than £115,000 in total.
The annual charity show pairs professional dancers with hospital staff and others in a Strictly style competition in front of 500 spectators. This year, the accumulated funds were donated to the Honeysuckle Bereavement Service, the dedicated baby bereavement team at Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust.
The team runs a monthly support group for bereaved parents, and also runs a support group for men affected by miscarriage, ectopic or molar pregnancy, termination of pregnancy for foetal anomaly, stillbirth and early neonatal death in partnership with Liverpool Football Club Foundation.