Still got the moves after 40 years: Wolverhampton tea-dance group marks milestone by raising £400 for air ambulance
A tea dance club in Wolverhampton celebrated its 40th anniversary by donating £150 to the Midlands Air Ambulance charity.
The group, which meets at Long Knowle Community Hub, sees dancers gather every Monday to keep fit and active, as well as raise money to support charity.
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They were joined for the occasion by Councillors Chris Burden and Steve Evans, who represent Fallings Park.
Many members have been coming to the Monday tea dance meetings for a number of years, including Catherine Hodges, the longest serving dancer at the club.
Geoffrey Taylor, who has been attending the dances for 25 years, said the group raised the money by holding an afternoon dinner and dance at Goodyear social club, raising £80, then managed to raise another £45 using through donations to the collection box.
“The club’s been going for 40 years, and we want to see many more,” he added.
Other dancers described the group, which meets in the centre in Wood End Road, Wednesfield from 2pm to 4pm every Monday, as a place where people feel welcomed.
"There’s a family feel where everyone supports each other, and a brilliant atmosphere,” said one member.
“It’s a wonderful social afternoon, with great music to dance to, as well as coffee and cake”
Kay Starkey, West Midlands fundraising executive for Midlands Air Ambulance said: “We are super grateful to the dance group for raising £150 for us today as a charity. We need in excess of £16 million every year to continue our life saving service, and we can only do that with the help of the public.
“We don’t get any help for our daily missions, not from the lottery, NHS, or government funding. So it is the local community and businesses that continue to support us to attend to at least 12 people every single day, and four and a half thousand people every year who need our life saving service”
Councillor Burden said: “We have seen the fantastic work that Geoff, James, and all the dancers do every Monday, and it was an honour to join them to hand over the cheque to the Midlands Air Ambulance. The dancers and the charity do fantastic work, and long may it continue”
Councillor Evans added: “I remember joining the tea dance at their 25th anniversary. Time really does fly”
The group also takes trips to Llandudno and Blackpool for special occasions.
To find out more information about the clubs and events at the centre, see the website longknowlehub.org/
