Vital funds raised at Guinness World Record attempt

Lewis-Manning Hospice and The Wessex Autistic Society threw a fundraiser with a difference by attempting to break the Guinness World Record for largest Zumba class at the Bournemouth International Centre on Sunday 13 February.

Sadly they didn’t break the current record of 2012 participants, but they did raise around £12,000 towards caring for local people.

_{Maria Tidy - Lewis-Manning Hospice, Louise Trott - The Wessex Autistic Society, Zumba instructors Tanya Bright and Cat Fowler with their Zumba Smash crew}

Around 600 charity supporters, Zumba virgins and fitness fanatics danced to the Latin-inspired calorie burning class, which was the charities second attempt - October last year saw 750 people participate in Zumba Smash.

Maria Tidy, Fundraising Manager at Lewis-Manning Hospice said: “It was a shame we didn’t break the record, but we did raise massive amounts of funding for the hospice and The Wessex Autistic Society and we owe it all to everyone who took part.”



AFC Bournemouth's Cherry Bear with Lewis Bear

Funds are still coming in, but it is expected that each charity will receive around £6000 each from both Zumba Smash events.

Maria added: “For Lewis-Manning the funds will go towards continuing to provide free care to people with cancer and other life threatening illnesses and towards our £2.5million Time to Care Appeal to build a brand new state of the art hospice in Lilliput."



Louise Trott, Community and Events Fundraiser at the Wessex Autistic Society comments: “We would like to thank the hundreds of participants who helped to make our second Zumba event so much fun. As well as raising awareness of both local charities, the funds raised are vital to help us continue to develop our specialist services. The success of both Zumba events will help to enhance our free Information and Advice Service, providing much needed advice and support each month to hundreds of individuals and families affected by autism throughout Dorset.

"Whilst we may not have quite made history, we have certainly made a difference to the lives of the people we support.”



Zumba Smash 2 was supported by BH Live and Daily Echo Bournemouth and led by top local instructors Tanya Bright and Cat Fowler and their crew. Seeker photography and Carltan Video Productions recorded the event.