On 9th-10th May 2020, PRDA Trustee Dr Lesley Smith completed an incredible 26 hour danceathon to fundraise for PRDA. As well as dancing for 26 hours, Lesley also changed into 26 unique costumes every hour. Lesley had planned a rock-climbing fundraiser challenge (as well as a party) to celebrate a few personal milestones. Due to the Coronavirus, these plans had to be cancelled.

As she said on her fundraising page; “With the idea of replacing the fundraisers that were cancelled by COVID, I am doing a 26 hour Danceathon. Starting at 8am on Saturday 9th May, I will dance non-stop for 26 hours and will finish at 10am on Sunday 10th May (my birthday). Not only that, I will also go through 26 changes of costume, some of them very silly. I’ll post the evidence on Twitter!”

Lesley had many friends and family joining her every hour over video call. In the last hour, she donned her wedding dress in celebration of her 30th wedding anniversary and danced to the tune ‘It’s been a Long, Long Time’!

So far, Lesley has already reached her goal of £2600 and gone beyond to raise £5,200 including Gift Aid. If you would like to donate, use the link here. Even better, if you feel inspired to hold your own fundraiser, please see here for lots of easy ideas – you don’t need to have a big target as every little bit really does help.

Congratulations for the amazing achievement and the tremendous amount raised!