WJR SUPPORTERS 'HAVE THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES'
More than £100,000 was raised for WJR's Kiss for a Child Committee, chaired by Georgie Tarn and Sharon Barget, which supports children's projects across Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.
Over the past six months, six volunteers have endured rigorous training with professional dance partners, which enabled them to perform routines from Dirty Dancing and other much loved films from the same era, in front of family, friends and a prestigious judging panel.
Achieving an outstanding score of 26 out of a possible 30 points from the judges, together with the majority audience votes, Karen Paul was announced the unanimous winner of the KISS Competition 2010.
Dancing queen Karen Paul lives in Hampstead with her husband, two sons and two Labradors. Having been an active supporter of many worthwhile charities, Karen agreed that WJR's Kiss Come Dancing initiative was a perfect opportunity to learn how to dance and support a good cause.
"This whole experience has been a dream come true. What I thought would be an eight week project has turned into a real passion; I didn't realize how deeply dancing would touch my soul and all the hard work has definitely paid off! Knowing the money raised from tonight's event is going to towards a fantastic cause has made the experience even more rewarding. "
Other competitors included Radlett's Alex Pomerance and Michelle Newman; Barnet's Elizabeth Crossick and Sara Gerrard as well as Watford resident Meryl Rosenberg.
Georgie Tarn and Sharon Barget, co-chairs of Kiss Committee, said: "The night has been a wonderful success and we want to thank all the dancers for their hard work and dedication, because without them none of this would have been possible."
Paul Anticoni, Chief Executive of World Jewish Relief said: "This years Kiss Come Dancing event was a phenomenal success. Our six amateur dancers proved that raising vital funds for charity can be fun and rewarding. The money raised tonight will ensure that our recipients continue to lead dignified lives whilst enduring the hardships of poverty."
