A REDDITCH-based belly dancing teacher organised a night of fun to raise money for a great cause.

Emma Wheate-Price organised a belly dance fundraiser known as a hafla.

The various dance troupes she teaches in Redditch came together to perform their dances along with other guest troupes from the surrounding areas.

Emma holds two charity haflas a year, and this time the Redditch and Bromsgrove branch of Parkinsons UK was chosen to profit from the benefit for the event.

She said: "It was lovely that some of the charity representatives also attended and had a lovely time, while also explaining the important work the group does and support it offers for people with Parkinsons along with their carers.

"We were very grateful to Bridley Moor and Batchley Social Club for allowing us to use the venue.

"In addition to ticket sales we also had a tombola and raffle, which raised a total profit of £725 for the charity. Overall, since I began organising belly dance haflas, I have raised more than £8,000 for local and national charities."

Emma has been teaching belly dancing for approximately nine years and feels it offers women the chance to not only learn a new dance form, stay fit and tone up, but also to meet new friends and socialise.

Belly dance classes begin again in January. For more details, see belly-jewels.co.uk or call 07810 440877.