A retired dance teacher in Somerset has been celebrated with a fundraising event that raised £1,700.
The event was held in honour of 82-year-old Pat Palmer, who now lives at St Benedicts Nursing Home in Glastonbury.
The funds raised will be used to purchase specialist equipment for residents.
Ms Palmer has lived in Wells since the late 1950s and has a long history in dance, having performed on stage in London during her youth.
She started teaching aerobics at the Wells leisure centre and went on to form the Great Western Dance Group in the 1990s.
This group later became Step In Time Line Dancing, which she ran in both Wells and Glastonbury until her retirement in 2018.
Dawn Wall, Ms Palmer’s niece by marriage, said: "Pat’s daughter Teresa told me that St Benedicts Nursing Home wants to raise money for a special tablet for use by their residents, and she asked if Paula and I might do a fundraising social to help.
"Our friend and fellow dance teacher Sally Earle, who is also a good friend of Pat’s, generously invited us to fundraise with her at her big annual charity afternoon.
"Sally, who runs Krazy Angels, has a much larger catchment area for people attending, so this was a huge advantage."
Following Ms Palmer’s retirement, Ms Wall and her dance partner, Paula Welch, took over the classes and have continued to run them in her honour.
Ms Wall said: "Over the years Pat herself has raised lots of money through numerous raffles, class socials and other fundraising events – benefitting various local charities, including the Air Ambulance, mental health charity Heads Up, and to support a local family with a son with special needs – with every penny of the income proudly donated to charity to help others.
"We were therefore really pleased to do fundraising that will benefit Pat herself, and we were delighted to raise so much money."
The event took place on Saturday, July 11, at Prattens Sports and Social Club in Radstock.
Attendees each contributed £7.
Additional funds were raised through raffle tickets, a tombola, cake sales, a bring-and-buy stall, and a ploughman’s lunch.
Ms Wall said: "Pat is such a wonderful woman.
"She’s my husband’s aunt and has been my friend for nearly 50 years.
"When my children were young we all attended her classes, and when Pat’s memory started to fail a few years ago, and she finally had to give up dancing and teaching, she handed the teaching over to myself and Paula, and together we still run those classes which are now based in Croxley Memorial Hall."
Ms Palmer’s daughter, Teresa Vaughan, said the family was deeply moved by the support.
She said: "The amount raised was a record sum for this annual fundraiser and we, as a family, feel it’s a testament to the love for Mum and all she did for the local dancing community."
She also expressed gratitude to the staff at St Benedicts Nursing Home for their care and support.
Ms Wall and Ms Welch presented the £1,700 cheque to St Benedicts manager Ann Barclay during the home’s summer barbecue on Tuesday, August 4.
Ms Barclay said: "We very much appreciate all the time and effort that went into raising this incredible donation for our residents, and send our heartfelt thanks to all involved.
"It’s a fantastic amount that has been raised for the residents fund.
"The tablet’s big screen will mean residents can see words and images clearly, and they’ll be able to enjoy games and puzzles that suit their individual preferences."
She also highlighted the broader benefits the equipment will bring.
It will allow residents to connect with friends and family through video calls and explore content linked to their hobbies and interests.
Share