Our dear friend Margaret Waite passed away unexpectedly in October last year. Margaret was a talented dancer who trained at the Royal Ballet School in London. When she returned to the North East she created the Margaret Waite School of Dancing and became an inspiring dance teacher for over 40 years. To many of her students she was more than just a dance teacher, she was a lifetime friend and mentor, who helped guide young individuals to identify and realise their dreams. Margaret was someone we all admired and looked up to. She played a pivotal part in helping to shape our lives today and we will be forever grateful for her support.

Margaret dedicated her life to dance and was well recognised in supporting local events and theatre groups. She was always very grateful of the overwhelming support she received throughout her life from her parents, brother and sister in law to be given the opportunity to fulfil her dreams to dance with the RAD and run an established dance school.

Her second passion was animals - she literally wouldn't hurt a fly! She loved her dogs greatly and after retiring from dance she spent much of her time walking her 2 pugs along the Whitley Bay coastline. She was often accompanied by ex dance pupils or new friends met through her love for animals.

In fitting memory of such an outstanding lady we are raising funds to place a memorial bench on Whitley Bay seafront. Any additional funds raised will be donated to her favourite animal charity.

Please help us remember this special lady who did so much for us all.