Team Honk! Danceathon for Comic Relief

Team Honk! Danceathon for Comic Relief

When Team Honk first announced they were planning to get 500 bloggers together to dance for 6-hours non-stop at The Comic Relief Danceathon at Wembley, I hesitated for a while before officially signing up.  Not because I had doubts about doing it, but because I needed some time to get my head around the fact that I was going to.

I am a big fan of Team Honk and very proud to have been part of the relay that raised over £30,000 for Sport Relief last year.  It was an incredible experience and reminded me what a wonderful and supportive community of parent bloggers’ we are. I will fundraise with Team Honk for as long as they are happy to have me.

But, the idea of having 2,000 people in my personal space filled me with fear.

I don’t like crowds.  I never have.

I do not attend concerts or gigs, festivals or clubs.  I am not sure if it is the big open space, all the people jostling forward for a closer view of the stage, or the toilet seats that have been warmed by a thousand bums before me.  I don’t like to feel trapped in a place I can’t easily leave, where I might lose people, or is a nightmare to travel home from.  Because, there’s also my issue with the underground, which I will share with you another time.

Crowds are just not my thing.

I prefer smaller groups in more intimate venues, like my house. Or someone else’s house.  Restaurants are also fine, and I don’t mind hotel bars, beer gardens or the theatre.  In fact, anywhere I can hear my friends talk, preferably with a clean loo should the need arise, and I am usually ok.

But, Wembley is HUGE and all those people dancing into me, rehydrating and then needing to use the facilities… well, I just needed a bit of time to talk myself round.

After a stern word with myself, I signed up via the website and then there was no turning back.

The day itself was an incredible buzz.  The event was so well organised and there was plenty of dancing space for even the most ambitious of moves.  Don’t worry, I wasn’t about to start street dancing again…

The first 3-hours flew by very quickly but then tiredness set in, my feet started to ache and my knees stiffened.  The last hour in particular, felt very long.  Learning the Thriller dance routine was definitely a highlight.  In fact, I feel a new party trick coming on!

I was most looking forward to the 80’s session, but it turned out to be the least enjoyable session of the day for me.  I couldn’t keep up with the aerobics style dance moves and was just a knackered heap of sweat by the end! Maybe they should have asked Madonna to lead it – I am sure she’d have considered, being Wembley and all!

As always, the biggest high after any charity event is watching the money flood in, understanding how much of a difference it will make to people living very tough lives in the UK and parts of Africa, and knowing you were a small, small part of that.

It’s about getting up, doing something good, and showing what amazing things a community can achieve together.  Team Honk has raised over £30,000 for Comic Relief so far this year.  Over the past 3-years, around £70,000.  And, it all started with a tweet.

Here’s some video highlights from the day:

*****

More about Team Honk

Thank you to EVERYONE who sponsored me!

There’s still time if you’d like to donate.

Just £1 can provide a hot meal for a child living in poverty in the UK.

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9 Comments

  1. March 11, 2015 / 10:05 AM

    Goodness Sarah I had no idea you had all this going on – you amazing lady! Also how on earth did you emerge so serene looking, without your hair stuck to your head in clumps like me? Yours messy, sweaty headed in Nottingham. Well done xxxx

    • Grenglish
      Author
      March 13, 2015 / 7:50 AM

      I definitely slowed my pace down quite a bit by the end… 😉

  2. March 11, 2015 / 10:14 AM

    Sarah – you would never have known you were worried – you did a brilliant job at looking like you were totally in control – massive well done even more now realising how you felt. Well done! xx

    • Grenglish
      Author
      March 13, 2015 / 7:49 AM

      Ah thanks lovely! Am actually so much better now than I was a couple of years ago.

  3. March 11, 2015 / 11:18 AM

    Even more well done you! It was great to see you there and to become part of Team Honk with you again. I’m so proud of what we achieved – just think of all those people we have helped! xx

    • Grenglish
      Author
      March 13, 2015 / 7:47 AM

      Me too! It was lovely to see you. Can’t wait for next year already x

  4. March 12, 2015 / 6:28 PM

    Ah, I totally understand all those feelings and why people have them. Glad you managed to pull it off and have an amazing time too – and yes, how come you don’t look hot and sweaty?! Sorry I didn’t bump into you, I totally forgot to ‘mingle’ (I actually find that quite hard, much as I want to do it!) but it’s great that we all had such a fun time 🙂

    • Grenglish
      Author
      March 13, 2015 / 7:41 AM

      I hardly recognised anyone I don’t know well! Sorry didn’t get to talk too. Next time! Such fun though in the end.

  5. March 16, 2015 / 7:38 PM

    You’re right, it really was amazing that we raised £30k as a team. I’m impressed you managed to conquer your fears as well as dance around for a stupid amount of time – and lovely to see you there! x

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