A FUNDRASING Zumbathon has managed to bring in more than £2,500 for the Brighter Futures radiotherapy appeal.

On Sunday June 26, around 100 Lycra-wearing Zumba enthusiasts gathered inside the Supermarine Sports and Social Club to shake their hips for charity.

And on Friday August 5, dancers met at St Joseph’s College to present a cheque for £2,882 to the appeal, which aims to install a radiotherapy unit in the Great Western Hospital.

The event was organised by instructor Hender Corredor-Escalante and Zumba-mad Amanda Sykes, who has been learning the Latin-inspired cardio-dance workout for the past five years.

They encouraged friends, family and other members of the public to come together and have a good time and raise funds for the appeal.

Amanda, 45, of Broad Town, whose father Ken Bendell, 74, was diagnosed with cancer in February, said: “We really need the radiotherapy centre so people don’t have to keep going back and forth to Oxford every day.

“As soon as my dad was diagnosed with cancer I became aware of the appeal I wanted to do something to raise money for it.

“We’re really happy that we managed to raise such a large amount, especially as the original target was £1,000.

“Every penny raised will go to helping Swindon get a radiotherapy unit as quickly as possible.”

Instructor Hender, 36, of North Swindon, who teaches Zumba in Swindon and trains people all over the UK, said: “It’s amazing, it really is.

“It’s really good that we managed to bring the community together to raise that amount of money.

“Everyone has been affected by cancer. Even if you’re not directly affected yourself, everyone knows someone who has been.

“I know it’s not millions of pounds but hopefully that figure will make a big difference.

“I’m very happy and we are willing to do more events like this whenever we can.”

Amanda added: “I’d like to say a big thank you to all the people who attended the event and raised sponsorship. I’d also like to thank my instructor, Hender, who helped organise it.”