Momentum CEO in preparation for 24 hour Danceathon wearing green tutu, leg warmers and sweat bands.

Starting at 10:00 on Friday 18 September, Sarah will remain on the dance floor until 10:00 on Saturday 19 September in a gruelling effort to raise funds for Momentum during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

The 24-hour Danceathon will be held at Colets Health and Fitness in Thames Ditton, Surrey.  During the challenge, Sarah will be joined by a fantastic line-up of well-known faces, guest DJs, family and friends, all helping to keep her energy levels high and feet moving.

As part of the challenge, Sarah will throw herself into a range of fitness classes at Colets, including Dance Fit, Barre, Zumba, Konga and a special children’s disco.

Talking about her challenge, Sarah Woods, CEO at Momentum Children’s Charity said: “I have never attempted anything quite like a 24-hour Danceathon before, so I know it will test me both physically and mentally. However, I also know that the families we support show incredible strength and resilience every single day. If taking on this challenge helps raise awareness and vital funds, then every sore muscle and every hour without sleep will be worth it. I would love as many people as possible to join us by taking part in Move for Momentum in whatever way suits them.”

With around 1,900 children diagnosed with cancer in the UK each year, Sarah has chosen to set herself a meaningful fundraising target of £1,900 – one pound for every child diagnosed annually.

Momentum Children’s Charity provides practical and emotional support to families across Surrey, London and Sussex whose child has cancer, helping them through one of the most challenging times in their lives.

Now in its second year, Move for Momentum encourages people of all ages to get active throughout September to raise money so Momentum can continue to be there for families.

It’s not too late to take part in Move for Momentum. Download a free fundraising pack from the charity’s website for everything needed to get started, including fundraising ideas, planning tips, step-by-step guidance on creating a fundraising page and advice on spreading the word to maximise support.

You can sponsor Sarah for her 24-hour Danceathon for Momentum Children’s Charity here

To find out more about the work of Momentum Children’s Charity and to sign up to take part in Move for Momentum, please visit www.momentumcharity.org

Notes to Editors:

Momentum Children’s Charity supports families across London, Surrey and Sussex whose children are facing cancer or a life-challenging condition. We partner with local hospitals to offer personally tailored support to care for the emotional and mental wellbeing of every single family member, through our family support workers. Our services include counselling, creative therapies, special experiences, and respite breaks. If the unthinkable happens, and a child dies, we offer specialist bereavement support through our Momentum Echoes service. The charity receives no government funding and is reliant entirely on voluntary support. 

Founded in 2004, Momentum Children’s Charity was started when Bianca Effemey OBE was working as a receptionist on the Paediatrics Ward at Kingston Hospital. Side effects of chemotherapy treatment can be very painful, and she became aware of the impact they were having on young cancer patients. It became her mission to get white goods donated to the hospital which could be kept full of refreshments, providing some relief to children suffering with mouth ulcers caused by chemotherapy. Momentum has grown from a very small charity to now supporting over 2,800 individuals across 726 families in 2025/26. This includes 506 families with children in active treatment and 220 bereaved families.

If you are interested in learning more about the work Momentum does, seeing the roles they are currently recruiting for or would like to get involved by attending an event, volunteering or making a donation please visit www.momentumcharity.org

www.momentumcharity.org Registered charity number: 1195373

For more information about Momentum and future press opportunities, please contact:  Claire Smith, PR and Communications Officer: clairesmith@momentumcharity.org  /  0208 974 5931