Dance dad raises over £1,000 for charity running in a ballerina tutu!

Photo: Jackie Meredith

Chris Hardy running in his ballerina tutu

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A ‘dance dad’ from Kats Dance Academy has raised over £1,000 for charity by running in a ballerina tutu.

Chris Hardy donned the unusual attire for the annual TH96 run, held in memory of 21-year-old cricketer Tom Hardman, on 24 March for Cardiac Risk in the Young.

The nine-mile run is split across three stages: starting at Rochdale Cricket to Norden Cricket Club, Norden on to Heywood Cricket Club, and finally, from Heywood to Middleton Cricket Club, where Tom was a player. 

Kats Dance Academy sponsored Chris and have also arranged a raffle for 12 months of free lessons to help him with fundraising.

Chris said: “I said if I raised £1,000, I would do a dance in the annual show in November.

"I can’t thank all the parents and families enough for their support: they must want to see me on stage.”

Since its formation in 1995, CRY has been working to reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac death (YSCD). CRY supports young people diagnosed with potentially life-threatening cardiac conditions and offers bereavement support to families affected by YSCD.

CRY promotes and develops heart screening programmes and funds medical research. CRY publishes and distributes medical information written by leading cardiologists for the general public. CRY funds fast track referral, screening and cardiac pathology services at leading UK hospitals.