A POPULAR monthly dance event in Worcester has proved so popular that it has raised almost £10,000 for patients with life-threatening illnesses.

Brian and Philomena Green, both aged 64, of Westfield Close, in Fernhill Heath, near Worcester, started running the regular ballroom, latin and sequence dances at St John's Sports Centre three years ago.

DJ Brian provides the music and Philomena organises the events, which have proved so popular that they regularly attract up to 160 people from the city and beyond.

They decided to run the dance classes in aid of St Richard's Hospice, based in Rose Hill, Worcester, after being appr-oached by dance fans who they knew through the charity, which the couple have supported in various ways for more than a decade. Brian said: "I have been a DJ for more than 30 years and this is now the biggest monthly dance event around.

"We're very proud we have such a wonderful following and can raise so much money for St Richard's.

"Since we've been welcoming people to the dances, we've raised around £9,500, and will continue to raise more next year."

Campaigning

St Richard's is campaigning to raise more than £5.25m to build a new hospice in Worcester, which will house all of its current services plus 15 specialist beds - the first of their kind in South Worcestershire

The charity's community fund-raiser, Alison Weston, said: "The dances are incredibly popular and were a hit locally long before BBC television's Strictly Come Dancing showed us all how glamorous and exciting it could be.

"Brian and Philomena do a fantastic job and we are very grateful for all their hard work helping raise much-needed funds for the hospice to help our patients and families living with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

"We would also like to thank all those dancers who come along and support the events."

A full programme of dances is planned for 2005. For more information, contact the couple on 01905 454338.