National Lottery winners step up to help Elderfit dancers

The Elderfit members – aged from 46 to 96 – were eager to welcome spring and celebrate the return of live dancing after the constraints imposed during the pandemic. Hilary Moginie, 70, said, “The dance this afternoon is all anyone has been talking about for weeks. Over the last 2 years during Covid, we have missed each other’s company and now it’s like we’re being reunited with long lost friends.”

National Lottery-supported Elderfit is open to all and provides strength and balance improvement sessions across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. A group of National Lottery winners from the region – with a combined wealth of £15MMillion – helped decorate the Coal Exchange Cardiff and greet Elderfit members as they arrived for the afternoon of fun. The winners served afternoon tea to their guests, partnered them on the dance floor and chatted while enjoying the live band.

Gareth Bartlett, co-founder of Elderfit, said the organisation had provided pre-recorded workouts and Zoom classes during lockdown, but nothing could replace the thrill of a live dance. He said, “The invitation from the National Lottery winners for this event has been a real highlight for our members. While Zoom had its benefits and was valuable to our members, there is nothing like getting out and about and interacting for improving mental, as well as physical health.”

The National Lottery winners kicking up their heels included Nigel Willetts (pictured) from Caerphilly who won £1MMillion in 2014 and Richard and Faye Davies from Brecon who won £1MMillion in 2018. Also ‘putting on the Ritz’ were Steve and Lesley Schiltz from Pontardawe, who had a £1MMillion windfall on EuroMillions UK Millionaire Maker in December 2019.

Steve said, “We’ve all had such a lovely afternoon. We help with a few charities. We were lucky enough to have our win – I still can’t believe it, to be honest – so we’ve always been keen to try and pass on some of that luck for other people to enjoy.”

19th April 2022