DANCING dads have smashed their target to raise money for a charity close to their hearts.
Happy Feet Dance Academy in Basingstoke started a fundraiser for St Michael's Hospice ahead of its annual show last weekend.
The academy had to postpone its last two shows due to Covid-19 restrictions.
However, they say they were delighted to be back on stage, performing their 'THIS IS IT' 2022 show on October 8 and 9 at Queen Mary's College, Basingstoke.
And they were boosted by a group of dancing dads, who performed a specially choreographed dance routine at all three shows - raising more than £3,300 in the process.
One of the dads, Steven Stewart, 36 said: "We are currently sitting over £3,300. We still have some funds coming in so by the end of the raffle and donations we're looking at getting close to £4,500.
"My wife is a dance teacher for Happy Feet Dance Academy. They have been running their shows for 29 years, but due to Covid weren't able to do the last one.
"This year we said 'let's do some fundraising and help out a charity that is very close to our families, so we did just that."
Steve and the other dads chose to raise money for St. Michael's Hospice after the hospice helped their families.
St Michael's Hospice provides specialist palliative and supportive care for patients with a life-limiting illness.
The dads put in 12 weeks of practice, some days getting their groove on for two hours, in order to make the show spectacular.
READ MORE: New cake shop opening in Basingstoke as company's fourth branch
Steve said: "It has done absolutely amazingly. It's been quite emotional.
"I have strong ties to the hospice so to set a target and hit it was amazing but to smash the target is indescribable."
All funds raised through the dad's dance and the raffle were donated to the charity.
The dads taking part with Steven were Nick Davis, Andy Butler, Bob Farrell, David Holdsworth, Nick Elms, Andrew McClusky and Paul Thurston.
SEE ALSO: Basingstoke's Festival Place puts up a plaque in memory of guide dog Wag
Happy Feet Dance Academy was established in 1993 by Principal Diane Gould.
It meets at Hill Rise Community Hall and the Church of Christ the King Hall in Sullivan Road in Brighton Hill.
It specialises in dance education and training in a variety of dance disciplines including tap, modern, hip hop, and musical theatre.
To make a donation go to justgiving.com/team/Dancing-Dads?invite=true&fbclid=IwAR1NZPAdMNj0J3CgNQmQbIoeo_uvrOIiGE5txgp6p4jNT9cVhayNqDW_k3g
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