Toe tapping fundraising for foundation

Organised by Brighouse dance teacher Janet Austin, 16 dance schools from Brighouse, Halifax, Huddersfield, Elland, Ripponden and Bradford will take part in the event at North Bridge Leisure Centre, Halifax, on Sunday from 10am.

The event, now in its 20th year, was the idea of Derek and Vera Hamer, who were friends of Roy Castle.

After 15 years of organising the event (and now in their 80s) they decided to hand the organisation over to Janet who has co-ordinated the tapathon for the past four years.

“Derek and Vera are very good friends of mine and I couldn’t see all the hard work they had put in, disappear,” said Janet.

“It’s wonderful to know that we can continue to raise money to support this charity.

“Since 1997 the tapathon has raised £241,669 and I’m hoping we will achieve £250000 with the money raised from this tapathon.

“The dance schools are a mixture of just children, just adults or children and adults and some of the dance schools have taken part every year.

“I absolutely love the day of the Tapathon as it has a fabulous atmosphere and makes you feel so good to know you are all there to raise money to help with the research into lung cancer.

“It’s what you call a ‘feel good day’.”

All the dancers that take part collect sponsor money and along with a raffle, tombola and a ‘Guess the Number of Dancers’ competition on the day it always raises a fantastic amount.

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