I am running the BTR Liverpool Half Marathon on Sunday 10th March to raise funds for Merseyside Dance Initiative Community Dance Programme.

Each year we work with hundreds of vulnerable children and young people, adults, older people and those living with Parkinson's and Dementia across Merseyside. Our work brings people from all walks of life, ages, abilities and nationalities together, providing a physical and expressive outlet for participants to flourish within.

Children and Young People - Providing dance classes, events and performance opportunities for young people who live in areas of economic deprivation and do not have the money or opportunity to engage with regular arts activity, to participate in dance of the highest quality.

Older people - providing opportunities for older people to interact with one another reducing loneliness and social isolation through participation in regular classes and performance events with our two dance companies for more mature movers.

Our Dance for Parkinson's and Dance for Dementia classes help those living with these disorders and their carers to take part in movement and physiotherapy sessions that research shows helps to reduce the speed at which these conditions develop.

As a charity we are continually striving to transform the lives of our participants through dance. We can only do this with your support.

£1000 would allow us to deliver 25 sessions with one of our community groups combating inequality of opportunity/social isolation/poor health/mental health issues. That is 6 months of dance activity which would greatly improve the lives of people across our region.

On behalf of Merseyside Dance Initiative, I am eternally grateful to all who donate and continue to support the work we do.