FITNESS enthusiasts are being encouraged to dust off their dancing shoes as a ‘zumbathon’ hopes to raise funds for Mary Stevens Hospice.

Ryemarket-based Pump Gyms will be hosting an open zumba session between 6pm and 9pm on Wednesday (February 22) to raise funds for the Hagley Road charity, which supports local patients and families, battling the impacts of life-limiting illnesses.

Anyone is welcome to come and join in the event, however non-members of the gym are expected to make a minimum £2 donation to the hospice in order to enter.

Aaron Jackson, general manager at Pump Gyms, said: “We are privileged here at Pump Gyms that we are able to enjoy our passion for health and fitness every single day, so we thought why not use that passion to support our community and raise money for people less fortunate than ourselves?

“The hospice support our local community, and the friends and family members of a number of members here at the gym. Whether you're a member of the gym or not, we’d love to see you here on the 22nd.”

Amanda Bowen, community engagement officer at Mary Stevens Hospice, said: “We know Aaron and his members are really excited about this one and we’re grateful to them for supporting our patients and their families in such a unique and engaging way.

“Zumba is one of those things that is always great fun, whether you’ve done it once or 100 times, so it’d be brilliant to see loads of people giving it a go for a great cause.”