North East Salsa Evening Generates over £1000 for Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland.

Paul Atkinson started Salsa for Charity in December 2016. He organises monthly charity Latin dance events in Sunderland for a different charity or good cause each month.

These popular nights start with basic and intermediate lessons in either salsa, bachata or kizomba, and then there is dancing until midnight. The dance teachers generously offer their services either for free, just for expenses or for a reduced fee. All the expenses to run the events are paid for by Paul. Every penny people donate goes to the good cause and he has raised in total nearly £43,000 so far.

A couple of months ago, Paul contacted Richard Dunn who runs Salsa In Cumbria about doing an event. He has been teaching for 17 years, and with his partner Angela Messenger, run and host weekly classes alongside their ever popular Salsa on Sunday events in Penrith. Richard sadly lost his father in March of last year and when he was asked which charity he would like to award the money to, there was no hesitation, it was to go to Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland.

The caring and compassionate carers from Hospice at Home, supported Richard’s Dad, Norman, in the final stages of his life. They provided support and comfort for him, whilst helping Richard’s mother take a well-earned rest from the constant caring for Norman.

Jenny Urwin from the fundraising team at Hospice at Home said “Dancing is such a lovely and healthy way to release endorphins and lower stress. Dealing with a life limiting illness for the individual as well as those around them can be very stressful. That is why events like Paul and Richard’s is such a lovely metaphor for what we want to achieve at Hospice at Home. Allowing the family to relax and enjoy the time that they have left. We can’t thank them enough for raising £1,283.75!”