A NURSERY TEACHER has taken part in a 12-hour dance marathon to raise money after both her mum and best friend were diagnosed with cancer.

Roberta Woodhouse, who works at St Paul’s Church of England Nursery and Primary School in St Nicholas Road, Brighton, started her danceathon at 12pm yesterday to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK.

She was determined to do what she could to help when she received the news about her mother and best friend, Emma Kennedy, who were diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and second stage incurable breast cancer respectively within the last two years.

She said: “Over the past two years my mum has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, one of my best friends has secondary incurable breast cancer, children at my school have parents with cancer and some have cancer themselves. It is a cruel and heartless disease that doesn’t care who it takes and affects.

“I need to do something in the name of those I love and for everyone who is affected by cancer... and the only thing I can do is dance!”

Roberta, who lives in Hove, has always loved dancing and is always up for a challenge.

She recently starred in TV series The Secret Life of the Ballroom with her 18-year-old son Harry.

The show follows ten everyday people as they prepare to embark in competitive ballroom dancing for the first time.

Roberta’s husband Marc, a graphic designer, added: “She just jumps into action in a crisis. Bob’s the kind of woman who needs to do things. She’s been a rock for both her best friend and her mum, and will take them to chemotherapy and radiotherapy sessions.”

DJ Norman Cook, better known as Fatboy Slim, who lives in Hove, was at the school to show his support to the family he has known for a number of years.

The danceathon even kicked off to his signature track Praise You. Pupils who were on their lunch break joined Roberta on stage.

Roberta has already raised £1,650 via a JustGiving page.

To help her raise money for the cause, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/roberta-woodhouse1