GETTING fit, having fun and raising funds for charity is the order of the day for a special event this weekend.

FitSteps is a new dance fitness programme developed by stars of Strictly Come Dancing and a famous Olympic swimmer.

It will be in Swindon on Sunday for a Prospect Hospice fundraising event that the organiser hopes 200 fitness fans will come along to.

Fitness instructor Karen Hyde, who is a qualified teacher of the recently developed programme, has organised the event at Nova Hreod Academy and is ready for a large turn-out for an afternoon introduction to Fitsteps, which combines the best known and most popular Latin and ballroom dances with proven fitness techniques.

Developed by Strictly Come Dancing stars Natalie Lowe and Ian Waite, alongside former world champion swimmer Mark Foster, FitSteps is billed as a way to get fit fast, lose unwanted pounds and have fun in the process.

Karen’s a longstanding supporter of the Wroughton hospice, having led the warm up for the charity’s annual Starlight Walk for many years.

She believes that both women and men will have a great time at the event. She said: “It is a fantastic work out, but it’s suitable for people whatever their age, and whether they have danced before or not.

“It’s all choreographed, and this will be a great opportunity for people to get to know what FitSteps is all about, while raising money for a cause that’s very close to my heart, and the hearts of many of the people who will be there on the day.”

To encourage as many people as possible to come along, Karen’s only asking for £5 for people looking for their first taste of FitSteps.

“All the money goes to Prospect Hospice, and there will be cakes for people to buy after their workout, and hopefully people will also put some of their change into the collection buckets we’ll have there on the day.”

The event is from 10am at Nova Hreod, and all money raised goes to Prospect Hospice.

For further details email kaddan33@hotmail.co.uk or call 07883 399330.