Carmarthenshire lady to Lindy Hop Jive in 24-hour fundraiser

Paula Eldridge will Lindy Hop Jive from Saturday, January 25 at 4pm to Sunday, January 26 at 4pm.

The fundraiser will take place at Tumble Hall in Llanelli and raise money for organisations such as Ty Bryngwyn Hospice, Llanelli and Prostate Cancer Research.

Paula will raise money for Ty Bryngwyn Hospice, Llanelli and Prostate Cancer Research. (Image: Paula Eldridge) Tumble Lindy Hop Jive was founded by Paula. (Image: Paula Eldridge) Paula's husband, Steve Eldridge will also dance during the 24-hour challenge. (Image: Paula Eldridge) Paula said: “I have three brothers who all have various stages of prostate cancer. So, I’m doing this for a worthy cause, and I’ll have a lot of motivation to keep going.”

Paula is the owner and founder of Tumble Lindy Hop Jive, a community interest company based in Carmarthenshire, which offers music and dance classes.

The company has also received funding to do work with care homes and assist Parkinson’s UK.

Paula takes pride in having a positive impact on the mental and physical wellbeing of locals across Carmarthenshire.

She continued: “I set this company up a few years ago. I wanted to bring music and dance to hard-to-reach areas and get people moving.  The last year has been absolutely amazing.

“Things are going really well. It’s great to spread the joy of dance. Before COVID, I also did a 24-hour Zumba challenge. I’ll be ok during this upcoming challenge just as long my dancers support me. My husband will join me during parts of the challenge too.”

Lindy Hop Jive originated in the 1920s and has deep West African roots. (Image: Paula Eldridge) Paula began dancing as a child when her parents took her ballroom dancing.

She went on to dance competitively until her early teenage years, entering competitions which included the parent and child categories with her dad.

Now through her company, Paula and her husband Steve Eldridge, run weekly lessons and workshops in addition to monthly tea dances, band nights and themed parties.

Before the fundraiser in January, the couple are hosting a free taster and social dance event on Saturday, November 23 and another event on Sunday, December 15.

Lindy Hop Jive is the main dance Paula teaches – a black American dance originating in New York City in the late 1920s.

The dance was first performed in large ballrooms before developing alongside popular of the present day.

As a dance with deep West African roots, it is characterised by social dance values like improvisation, rhythm, spontaneity and individuality.

For more information about the fundraising event or Tumble Lindy Hop Hive, you can visit the company’s website or Facebook page.