Dancers ‘pole’ together for charity event

Dancers from the Polercise Studios in Derry, Belfast and Letterkenny have 'poled' together to raise money for Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke.

Forty-seven dancers, including a salsa team of 14, will be performing in a dance show at the Gransha Sports and Social Club on Saturday (March 15).

The pole fitness dancers, including the show’s organisers, Karen Baldwin and Kiera McFeely, have all been taught by El Ferran, manager of Polercise Ltd.

All the pole dancing instructors and some of the students from the Londonderry studio will be taking part, along with El Fegan herself, and dancers from the Belfast and Letterkenny Polercise Studios.

Julian Benbow, a manager at the City of Derry Airport, has reunited a band and they will be playing live music to accompany some of the acts.

Kiera McFeely will be the compere for the evening.

Karen Baldwin said: “I run a charity show every year and this year we decided to donate to NI Chest Heart and Stroke as my father died of a stroke and one of the dancers in the show lost her father suddenly last year from a heart attack, so it has a big meaning for us.

“It should be a great night, one not to be missed. It is not often we get so many talented dancers together to do a show.

“I would like to show my appreciation to everyone who has donated a lot of time and effort to make the show happen.”

Valerie Saunders, Fundraising & Marketing Co-ordinator for NICHS said: “Polercise is the latest fitness alternative to aerobics and the gym. Artistic pole dancing lessons improve muscle tone, strength and flexibility.

“Physical activity is one of the ways you can reduce your risk of cardiovascular illness, so the dancers taking part are looking after their own health as well as raising money for others.”

The event is being held at the Gransha Sports & Social Club, and commences at 7pm Tickets cost £10 and are available at the door or you can contact Karen Baldwin on 07880738589.