Pole dancers join forces to thank hospital

Pole dancers are geared up for a special fundraising show as a thank you for exceptional hospital care.
The student showcase, A Night of Dance, takes place at Bersted Park Community Centre on Saturday CscZbrTZJEBYs-bDZ2nlThe student showcase, A Night of Dance, takes place at Bersted Park Community Centre on Saturday CscZbrTZJEBYs-bDZ2nl
The student showcase, A Night of Dance, takes place at Bersted Park Community Centre on Saturday CscZbrTZJEBYs-bDZ2nl

Sue Thompson, who runs Pole Passion Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, wants to show her appreciation for the care her mother received during her 30-year battle with alcoholism.

She will be donating all the proceeds to Love Your Hospital, the official charity of Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, to specifically benefit Petworth Ward at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester, where her mum was looked after.

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Sue said: “Three years ago, I lost my mum to a 30-year battle with alcoholism and mental illness.

“During that time, she spent a lot of time in St Richard’s Hospital, often as a result of self-harm or binge drinking.

“It’s easy to think that people are being selfish when they do these things, and I know that my mum was not an easy patient to treat, but, despite all this, she always received exceptional care from the nursing staff at the hospital, especially in the last few months of her life when her condition became untreatable.

“Petworth Ward made those final months so much better for her and she always spoke very highly of the staff and their kindness. I hope that by supporting the ward in this way will ensure many more people can receive the same high level of care.”

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Sue, who has been teaching pole fitness for six years, joined forces with instructors from Chichester, Angmering, Worthing and Shoreham to organise the show, allowing their students the chance to showcase their fitness and skill while raising funds for a good cause.

It is not the first time Sue has organised an event to raise funds for Love Your Hospital. In 2014, she held a smaller Hallowe’en pole dancing showcase and raised more than £150.

She hopes the show on Saturday will be bigger and better, since her classes have grown in popularity in the last two years.

There will be a variety of entertainment, with 18 performances from students and instructors, on and off the pole, plus stalls from local businesses.

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Kay Penney, owner and founder of Pole Passion, said: “Every year at Pole Passion, we try to support a worthy charity close to home. Sue, along with her colleagues Karla, Amy, Bella, Sarah and Kelly, as well as all the students taking part, have worked extremely hard over the last few months to make this event happen.

“Thank you to all the family and friends who have supported them and will be in the audience on the night.”

Refreshments will be available at the show, which starts at 6pm at Bersted Park Community Centre, Lakeland Avenue, Bognor Regis. Tickets are £7.50 from www.polepassion-bognor.com or contact Sue by email [email protected] or telephone 07792148020.

Amanda Tucker, head of charity for Love Your Hospital, said: “Organising any fundraising event is a wonderful way to thank the medical staff for their outstanding care and any money raised is used to ensure patients have access not only to the best possible care but the most up-to-date equipment.

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“People like Sue, and all those taking part in events such as this, make a big difference to your hospital, so on behalf of us all I would like to thank Sue and say good luck to all on the night.”

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