DANCERS enjoyed learning traditional central and eastern European moves to raise funds for a children’s charity.

A group of enthusiastic folk dancers came together at Headington village hall to learn and perform routines from Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, Bosnia and Macedonia last weekend.

The group raised £365 for the Hope and Homes for Children charity in Romania and Bulgaria.

Dance teacher Mary Perryman, of North Oxford, said Hope and Homes was selected after a dancer who belongs to the charity came to the group.

She said: “We had a fundraising event in the summer and everyone was in traditional costume. I was so impressed I thought we should fundraise for the charity ourselves.

“My sister goes over to Romania and works at an orphanage. Many are closing down because the charity she works with aims to take children out of the orphanages and put them back with their families.

“They are so poor they have to send their children to orphanages. Hope and Homes takes the children back to their families and gives them food and clothing. They find orphans foster homes.”

She added: “I was a modern languages teacher for 30 years. I took up a dance teachers’ training course before I left teaching and I have been teaching dance for many years since.

“I go to Greece every year to learn its traditional dances. I learn from the Greeks and I have actually learnt the language so I understand the teachers.”

She added: “On January 30 the Balkan dance group will be performing in authentic costumes – it is the most amazing thing.”

Mrs Perryman teaches folk dance on Wednesday afternoons in Summertown at the North Oxford Association in Diamond Place.

The Balkan group meets on Thursday evenings and there are several sessions throughout the year on Saturdays.

For more information on dance groups contact Mrs Perryman on 01865 552688.

For more information on Hope and Homes visit hopeandhomes.co.uk/