Our Pitsea dance marathon in memory of mum

Amy and Teresa Heather and Stacey Finney relentlessly strutted their stuff, from morning until afternoon, in stifling temperatures.

Classic hits from Michael Jackson, Shakira, Rihanna, and even the Birdie Song, were just some of the tunes the siblings bopped to in pink tutus at the Eversley Leisure Centre, Pitsea.

They were joined by family and friends at Saturday’s event.

It was part of a fundraising campaign to collect £5,000 to officially launch and register the Help a Broken Heart charity in memory of mum, Sandra Heather.

The 54-year-old, who was also mum to fourth sister Lisa, 34, passed away in 2004, following a long battle with breast cancer.

Amy, 25, of Gower Chase, Laindon, said: “Mum was fighting the cancer for three to four years.

“She was going through chemotherapy when they suddenly told her she had two weeks to live.

“When we lost mum, we decided we wanted to do something to remember her, so we set up the charity.”

Through Help a Broken Heart, the women want to raise cash to revamp the family room at Southend Hospital’s Elizabeth Lowry ward, where their mum was treated.

They also want to raise cash to pay for things such as entertainers for youngsters in hospital for the long term.

Teresa, 31 of Crown Close, Pitsea, said: “When you have someone in hospital, you spend such a lot of time there that we just wanted to make the facilities more comfortable for families.”

The sisters hope the dance marathon will raise about £1,500 towards the £5,000 goal.

Stacey, 29 of Wilsner, Pitsea, said they ached all over as they neared the end of the six hours.

Despite the pain, the dancing queens believe their mum would have been moved by their dedication.

Teresa said: “Before mum died, she wrote that she wanted everyone to party.

“She would have been proud that we are making something fun out of it.

“She wouldn’t have wanted anyone to be upset.”

l To support the sisters, visit their website www.helpabroken heart.co.uk