Dance dads fundraising peak

Rochdale dads raise more than £7,000 for Francis House.

The dance dads present a cheque to Kate Puc.

A group of dads from Samba Dance and Fitness, whose children attend the Whitworth dance school, have raised thousands of pounds for Francis House by playing a blinder of fundraising activities.

The dads, led by Peter Griffiths, thought it would be fun to perform a group dance at the school’s Christmas presentation with the aim of raising funds for the children and families of Francis House.

Not content with a one-off performance, they set a target of £3,000 and mapped out several charity events and challenges throughout the year.

Peter, Richard Bingham, Grant Proctor, Ian Duffy, Gareth Clarke, Mick Simpson, Ben Leech, Jon Dunning, John Mellor and Sam Lord made a special Whitworth 2020 calendar – the Streaky Behinders – based on the Peaky Blinders TV series. The calendar was photographed at all local points in Whitworth and Rochdale Town Hall.

Dance group dads and children sponsored walk

Calendar of events

Supported by scores of people, family and friends they competed in two Born Survivor events, a half marathon, the Yorkshire Three Peaks, a charity car wash held at the dance school, a sponsored walk and a sponsored Run to the stone at the top of Brown Wardle, and a charity football match against players from Whitworth FC.

The year was finished off with the dance piece, choreographed by dance teacher Beth Hall for the Christmas presentation.

In January the delighted dads smashed their target and presented a cheque for £7264.00 to fundraising officer Kate Puc.

Sam Clarke, director and proprietor of Samba Dance and Fitness said: “We would like to thank everyone involved from the companies who donated, the people who gave up their free time, to the friends and families at the school who bought all 300 calendars and gave generously to this very worthy cause.

“But mostly, the thanks have to go to all our gentleman who danced and performed and took part in the calendar.”

Jon Dunning, one of the performing dads, works for the company Nomical, who paid for the making of the calendars, so all proceeds could go straight to the charity.

Alfie Ogg, the photographer, used his own time and skills for the photographs all free of charge, as well as large donations from Farley’s Solicitors, ENWL and Samba Dance and Fitness.

“Peter explained to me that as dads of healthy children they all wanted to help their local children’s hospice. He kept me informed throughout the year and how the money raised was growing and growing. With this fabulous donation we can continue to provide professional care, support and friendship to the growing number of children and families cared for by Francis House.”
Kate Puc, Francis House fundraiser