A GROUP of belly dancers are celebrating their 10th anniversary by staging a free workshop to raise funds for a hospice where one of their members died five years ago.

The Sea Gypsies Belly Dance Troupe - whose members come from all over the county - are encouraging newcomers to give it a go.

Leader Alison Hallewell will be running a two-hour class tonight (Friday May 20) at the Fishermen’s Club in Eastbourne from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

It is open to anyone and there will also be displays from both the Sea Gypsies and Rasheeka, their intermediate group.

Alison said: "I am hoping to attract lots of new faces to belly dance and also to raise money for St Wilfrid’s Hospice, a charity very close to our hearts.

"The man who is letting me use the premises in Eastbourne organises a 1940s night every year to raise money for the hospice and we always take part in that.

"Miranda Baird, one of our troupe members, died of cancer five years ago and St Wilfrid’s looked after her as they do many people."

Alison said belly dancing changed her life.

She said: "It is an escape from reality, it can absorb every atom of your body, it gets into your DNA.

"At present there are 11 of us and my belly dance classes appeal to all ages, from young mums to the eldest dancer being a young 74.

"It’s like an escape, It feeds all the senses, it can be a spiritual experience, mental therapy and of course great exercise. For one person she saw it as a way to escape from the trials and tribulations of life.

"To become a performer I feel that you must have a passion for belly dancing, not everyone who comes to classes wants to perform, but it can become very addictive and bring out the hidden performer in most people who come and try it.

"To take up belly dancing you need a good sense of humour, most certainly, plus personality, be a team player. No ego, we are all part of one big family. Life would be sad without our belly dancing classes, we have been adopted into each other’s lives, belly dancing has gone into our blood. No dance experience is necessary as you can soon learn the basic moves."

To learn more visit theseagypsies.co.uk or their Facebook Page Sea Gypsies, or or email Alison on alisonhallewell@gmail.com