THE room was “buzzing” was how Kate Sadler described the ‘Party in Pink’ zumbathon at Amery Hill School in Alton on Saturday, which is on target to raise £4,000 for Cancer Research UK.

It was opened officially by Alton mayo Pam Jones, who cut a ribbon to start the session before yelling “Go Zumba”, which brought 120 dancers, mainly women and all in pink or wearing something pink, on to the floor of the school hall.

Glen Sadler acted as the comic master of ceremonies and his wife, Kate, and Mandy Wilson put the dancers through their paces watched by a crowd of visitors who enjoyed the homemade cakes and refreshments, as well as generously buying raffle tickets to help swell the funds.

“It was a wonderful afternoon,” said Kate. “We ended the final session with a battle between fellow instructors Tracye Jarrod, Dayana Sanchez and Alison Edwards and zumba dancers. It was hilarious.

“We had a lot of people at the event. One person came from London and another from East Grinstead, but the majority were from Alton and we are so grateful to everyone for their support.”

Stephanie Wright, from Alton’s Cancer Research shop, thanked them all before presenting bouquets, with a special one to Vicky Ashe who has raised £1,000 for the charity.

There was also a thank you to the businesses who had helped, including Bows and Bouquets and Richard Platt, who provided the huge balloon arch on the stage, Tania Applegarth from Wildly Upbeat Printingm, and IT Electronics for the loan of the equipment for lighting and music.

Kate, who runs four zumba classes per week, said with the sale of the tickets and the raffle “we have raised £3,400, but when all the sponsor money is in we will reach the £4,000 target”.