A ZUMBA instructor is organising a charity fundraiser in honour of a member of her class.

Joan Smith suffers from myeloma, a cancer affecting plasma cells in the bone marrow, but manages to attend a zumba class at Sunnybank Community Centre in Bury.

The instructor, Dianne Mehr, is now holding a zumbathon to raise money for Myeloma UK.

She said: “Joan is a regular attendee and has been coming to zumba for nearly two years now. She puts everything into the class.

“I was amazed to discover that she has myeloma, had suffered collapsed vertebrae, lost five inches in height and was also on dialysis. Joan is an amazing person and I am so pleased that zumba helps her.

“Apparently, in a recent survey, 97 per cent of the general public has no idea what myeloma is, so it’s great to be part of something that will increase public awareness and help ensure people diagnosed with myeloma don’t feel so isolated.”

The zumbathon will be held from 7.15pm to 9pm on Sunday, January 20 at Sunnybank Community Centre, in Sunnybank Road. Admission is £5.

Alternatively, people can donate to Myeloma UK by visiting justgiving.com/ zumbainternational.