Woman, 70, takes on 24-hour dance challenge

A 70-year-old woman is taking on a 24-hour dance challenge to raise funds for a charity supporting women.

Laura Murphy will begin her "danceathon" at midday on Friday at the MissionFiit Activity Centre in Hailsham, East Sussex, aiming to complete a full day of continuous dancing while raising £7,000 for Wayfinder Woman, the organisation in Eastbourne she founded.

The challenge will feature different styles of music, including an hour of Abba songs and an hour of Eurovision hits in celebration of the song contest's 70th anniversary.

Murphy said that anybody could join in at any point during the 24 hours.

She said that she had never had a dancing lesson but had always wanted to take part in Strictly Come Dancing, adding: "This is the closest I'm ever going to get."

Murphy has been training for the challenge since October and said that the community response had been "amazing", with dance instructors volunteering their time and local businesses also getting involved.

Funds raised will go towards Wayfinder Woman, which provides support for women facing issues including anxiety, isolation, financial hardship, health problems and past trauma.

The Eastbourne-based charity has helped more than 1,000 women since 2023 and works with those who often fall through gaps in traditional support services.

Jade, who became a volunteer after receiving support from the organisation, said: "This place helped me remember who I am.

"It gave me space to grow, to heal, and to step into my own strength, and now I get to help other women do the same."

She added that watching other women "rise, reconnect with themselves and take back their lives – that's why I'm here".

According to the organisation, many women living in Eastbourne are dealing with rising living costs and caring responsibilities, with some forced to choose between food and other essentials.

Support from events like the danceathon is intended to help the charity reach women earlier and provide help before problems reach crisis point, it said.

Murphy, who celebrated her 70th birthday in February, said that she would have people with her throughout the dance challenge.

"There will be a different dance each hour, which will help to keep me awake," she said.

Her dance routines will include the waltz and cha-cha, salsa, tango, Morris dance, ballet, Bollywood, disco, country and jive.

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