A Littlebury dancer, who is recovering from breast cancer, is organising a “danzathon” in aid of Addenbrooke’s Breast Cancer Appeal.

Saffron Walden Reporter: Luisa Curbelo, who is organising a charity danzathon. Picture: CONTRIBUTEDLuisa Curbelo, who is organising a charity danzathon. Picture: CONTRIBUTED (Image: Archant)

Luisa Curbelo, 54, underwent a mastectomy in June last year and is signing up her friends and students to join her in Great Chesterfield community centre on October 15.

The Latin American, who moved to England from her native Venezuela 15 years ago when she met her partner Ian Roberts, has run zumba dance classes in Saffron Walden and Newport since 2010.

She said she had been raising money for cancer for more than 20 years and wanted to do something, especially since her own experience, to help the Addenbrooke’s appeal.

“Breast cancer touches a lot of people.”

Saffron Walden Reporter: Luisa Curbelo, who is organising a charity danzathon, with friends. Picture: CONTRIBUTEDLuisa Curbelo, who is organising a charity danzathon, with friends. Picture: CONTRIBUTED (Image: Archant)

She added: “It is very depressing. You feel very lonely. You cannot get it out of your mind.

“My classes and the music all help. And my ladies, who have been with me since day one, brighten my day. They are beautiful, they are my friends.”

Luisa is planning to invite different dance instructors to lead classes in a variety of styles, such as salsa, samba, the merengue and quick step over the three hours of the danzathon from 10am. There might even be an Oriental and belly dancing instructor, she added.

Participants can stay and dance throughout or pop in for as long as they want.

“The idea is to have someone dancing continuously,” said Luisa. “It will be like a continuous class.”

Luisa, a mother of two, has been dancing since she was young, although never professionally. She has studied and qualified to teach zumba, which she does to keep fit.

She runs classes at Dame Bradbury School in Saffron Walden on Monday evenings and at Newport village hall on Thurday mornings. She is planning to start another one in Great Chesterford in October.

Luisa is yet to set up a justgiving webpage but hopes to raise at least £500.

Addenbrooke’s Breast Cancer Appeal is being fronted by Ruth New, from Ely, who this year is marking a decade since she had a mastectomy at the age of 30.