BIG hearted Redditch belly dancer Emma Wheate-Price held a fundraising charity dance evening, or ‘hafla’ at the Rocklands recently in aid of Evesham-based charity ‘Action For Pre-eclampsia’.
Emma is a belly dance teacher and holds two charity haflas a year and last week in Headless Cross dancers from across the Midlands, including Redditch joined in the fun, including star guest performer Maria D’Silva who travelled from Leicestershire for the event.
“In all 130 attended and as well as the dancing, there was also a souk, raffle and even a men’s belly dancing competition!” said Emma.
“The total raised that evening was £800 which will be donated to Action on Pre-eclampsia.”
Pre-eclampsia is a condition that affects pregnant women causing high blood pressure and sometimes swelling of the feet, ankles, face and hands, severe headache, vision problems and stomach pains.
“I chose this charity because I became unwell with early signs of pre-eclampsia at 26 weeks pregnant with twins.
“The condition quickly worsened and I was transferred to a hospital in Liverpool by ambulance.
“With only a few days at home here and there I spent six weeks in hospital in Liverpool, Gloucester, the Alex and finally at Worcester Royal where my twin boys were delivered at 30 weeks weighing only 2lb 9 and 3lb 5.
“I then suffered eclamptic seizures and ended up in intensive care, as well as the boys being rushed to the Neonatal unit. My boys spent a total of 50 days in hospital before being allowed home.
“So much is still unknown about this condition and the scary statistic is that a pregnant woman dies every 6 minutes in the world from pre-eclampsia. I therefore wanted to support the work that “Action on Pre-eclampsia” does to fund research.”
To date Emma and her team of belly dancers have raised more than £16,000 for local charities.
Formore on Emma and her classes visit www.belly-jewels.co.uk
