Shoppers in Hitchin next Saturday (May 20) will be treated to a charity danceathon as local nursery teacher, Salma Razzaq, shows off her moves in a variety of fancy dress outfits to raise money for a cause very close to her heart, Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF).
The charity has been an important one to 38 year old Salma, who teaches at Lordship Farm Primary School in Letchworth, ever since she received a life-saving liver transplant when she was just nine years old.
“Out of the blue I became very jaundiced and very poorly and it turned out I was suffering from acute liver failure. We still don’t know why,” says Salma. “I do know, however, that I am incredibly lucky and blessed to be here and that is due to the selfless act of an organ donor and a family who gave an amazing gift at a very difficult time.
“Next year I will be 30 years post-transplant and I want to celebrate this by raising funds for a charity which supports the many families around the UK who are still going through what mine did. I know about the amazing work which CLDF do for families in that situation and supporting them is very important to me. I wanted to express my thanks for the chance I have been given and raise much-needed funds by doing two of the things I love the most – dancing and feeding people!”
Salma’s Danceathon will take place at Hitchin’s Market Place on May 20 from 10am to 4pm, when there will be live performances from local singer, Max Ryan and DJs Sami-B and Jaz Saund. As well as cheering Salma on with her dancing or joining in, there will also be the opportunity to buy Indian snacks and treats which have been donated by local businesses.
Salma is really looking forward to the day. “I have loved dancing since I was little,” she says. “And being a nursery teacher I have an array of fun onesies to wear. I’m so grateful to my local community for all the help I’ve had including donations from local restaurants and shops, support from dance groups and the general encouragement that I can dance like Beyonce! I hope to see as many people as possible come along and have some fun in aid of a really good cause.”
Rebecca Cooper, Chief Executive of Children’s Liver Disease Foundation commented: “CLDF is the only UK charity dedicated to fighting all childhood liver diseases, by providing information and emotional support, funds for research and a voice for all those affected. In order to do this, however, we rely on voluntary donations, so we are delighted to hear about Salma’s Danceathon. It sounds like brilliant fun and we hope everyone involved has a great day.”
If you’d like to support Salma but are unable to come along on Saturday you can do so at Salma Razzaq is fundraising for Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (justgiving.com)
For more information on CLDF visit childliverdisease.org.
