Little ones dance to raise funds for baby charity, Tommy's

The babyballet dancers danced to raise money for Tommy's

Babies and toddlers from Babyballet Littleborough were hopping, skipping and jumping during their weekly class as they took part in a 'Danceathon' to raise money for baby charity, Tommy’s on Saturday (22 October).

Boys and girls aged six months to six years were sponsored to complete a Peppa Pig themed dance lesson to fund vital research into stillbirth, premature birth and miscarriage.

Little ones wearing their tutus, went on an imaginary journey with Peppa and George Pig from their classroom to being Princes and Princesses at Buckingham Palace where they danced in front of the Queen.

Together the 13,500 babyballet stars from across the country aim to raise £100,000.

Tommy’s funds four research centres in the UK that investigate causes and find treatments for miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth. Tommy’s also provides advice and support for all parents-to-be to help them have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

It is a charity close to the heart of Michelle Thomas, who runs Babyballet in Littleborough, as her first baby, Jakob, was stillborn.

She said: "After my wedding in 2011 I fell pregnant very quickly and made plans to move from Kent back to Yorkshire, where my family live, so I could be closer to them whilst bringing up my baby."

"Everything went well. There were no complications and I left my job on maternity leave and moved half way across the country to await the arrival of Jakob. 41 weeks into my pregnancy I had a sweep and everything seemed fine but, just 24 hours later, we were given the news that Jakob no longer had a heartbeat and he had passed away."

"My son, Isaak, and were really excited about taking part in Danceathon and fundraising for a cause that means so much to us.”