Booking now for Esther’s latest Zumbathon

World record holder Esther Featherstone - “the lady with the pink hair” - has announced her next charitable project and is calling on people to sign up.

Esther is planning a sweat-inducing 12-hour Zumbathon at Clair Hall, Haywards Heath, in August. It is open to everyone and will welcome back many of those who supported her when she danced into the Guinness World Record book last September with a 39-hour 20 minute non-stop Zumba marathon.

This year, the professisonal dance teacher and celebrity choreographer who has worked on programmes including Balamory and Big Cook, Little Cook, is planning a more modest 12-hour Zumbathon to support and raise awareness of the only children’s hospice in Sussex, Chestnut Tree House.

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She said: “After beating the world record last year, completing more than 39 hours of continuous Zumba, 12 hours should feel like one big party!”

At last summer’s Zumba marathon, Esther and her dancers raised more than £30,000 on behalf of St Peter and St James Hospice.

Esther later received Bright FM’s ‘Fundraiser of the Year 2012’ award, her previous good causes having included Windmills Playground in Burgess Hill and the Special Care Baby Unit at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.

This summer’s Zumbathon will begin at midnight on Sunday August 25 at the Clair Hall and finish at 1pm on the bank holiday Monday.

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Dancers can sign up for any length of time including the full 12 hours. Anyone wanting to take part is asked to book soon.

Esther, who runs classes all over Mid Sussex, said: “Excitement for this event is already building and everyone is preparing for a challenging 12 hours of fun and Zumba.

“Charities such as Chestnut Tree House achieve amazing things every day and I find their work extremely motivating - it just makes you want to help in any way that you can.”

Esther, who trained at Italia Conti Academy of Theatre of Arts and has worked on choreography for the likes of JLS singer Aston Merrygold, Nickelodeon presenter and Dancing On Ice star Laura Hamilton and Justin Fletcher of CBeebies, hopes to raise £6,850, enough to help run the Chestnut Tree House for a day.

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She thanked Brighton-based Spofforths Chartered Accountants who are sponsoring the event with every penny raised by the dancers going to the hospice.

To sign up, contact Esther on 0776 480 1167 or find out more by going to www.zumbalive.co.uk