Help raise money for some incredible charity, all while getting active, with Martlesham based pole dance and burlesque fitness group SheSizzles.
Want to feel good and do good at the same time? Martlesham based pole dance and burlesque fitness group SheSizzles will be encouraging women to do just that over the coming months, as it holds two more of its regular charity workshops.
“I first started the dance company eight years ago when I first came to England,” says owner of SheSizzles Donna Berry, who is originally from Australia. “I’ve been in the industry a long time teaching fitness, dance and yoga classes and wanted to give women a fantastic safe space to exercise in. Having worked as a psychotherapist for 25 years too, I am passionate about empowering women and giving them confidence.
“I have fundraised for charities for as long as I can remember too, and hold many charity events with SheSizzles throughout the year.”
On Friday, February 9, the dance studio will be hosting its fifth annual Valentine’s burlesque chair dance workshop. All SheSizzles classes are fun and dynamic, and its chair dance charity workshops are no different. All sessions are guaranteed to boost the confidence of any women that take part, with warm and friendly instructors encouraging those participating to have some serious fun. Whether you want to strut like a showgirl or shimmy like a seductress, you’ll learn a tasteful, saucy and sensational fully choreographed dance routine and see your confidence soar. No previous dance experience is necessary!
Previously, proceeds raised have gone to charities including Women’s Aid, Medicins Sans Frontiers, British Heart Foundation and NSPCC, however this year will be shared out between Childline and eating disorder charity BEAT.
BEAT is a charity that Donna is very eager to help in its fundraising efforts. “This is the second year that proceeds will be going to BEAT,” adds Donna.
“The government has put its focus on obesity and the effect it can have on an individual’s health, but I believe people are a lot less aware of other eating disorders. Eating disorders have the highest rate of death among all mental illnesses, with over 25% of suffers never improving. I just want to do my bit to help.
“I have worked with women and children with eating disorders as a senior psychotherapist here in Suffolk with the NHS and back home in Oz. With NHS mental health services here in Suffolk being under ‘special measures’ for a number of years – meaning people experience significant delays in accessing treatment – charities like BEAT need as much help as possible. They are the lifeline for many individuals and families.
“I have also had many students with eating disorders in my classes and for many women in my classes, pole fitness has been a key part of their recovery. Learning to feed their bodies, to become powerful and strong, has been very healing for them.”
Following its event in February, on Friday, March 2 SheSizzles will be holding a ‘Sock It to Eating Disorders’ charity polejam. Coinciding with BEAT’s Eating Disorders Awareness Week, which is running from Monday, February 26 to Sunday, March 4, the polejam will too be raising money for the charity close to Donna’s heart.
During the fun, freestyle pole class, students will learn to swish and twirl on the dance pole as well as practice and consolidate their spins and tricks, all while wearing sparkly, crazy, bright socks!
For more information, visit SheSizzles PoleDance and Burlesque Fitness on Facebook, or to purchase a ticket to either event, visit Eventbrite Alternatively, to donate to Donna’s fundraising efforts, visit her JustGiving page.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here