Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Thank goodness for my socially-aware friends! That's how I know about the brilliant violence prevention work done by Medics Against Violence (MAV)!  Although aware of the terrible impact of violence, I had never really thought about how violent behaviour can grow - for example from abuse of animals and then onto bigger targets. All pretty grim. Medics picking up the pieces set up this charity and now work with the MAV programme to engage early on, in schools and with young people, and to help people prevent/ avoid the terrible consequences and cycles of violent crime and domestic abuse. Treating this as a public health issue has had worldwide acclaim, and started here in Scotland. I'm glad that Scotland is safer for everyone because of the work they do.  

MAV do a lot of great fundraising work to send their staff into schools and suchlike, and I've been along to a few of their fabulous events.  I mentioned to MAV when buying tickets for their Ballroom Blitz ball this year that I might be interested in seeing how the ballroom dance competition worked.  Somehow I now seem to have been efficiently whipped up into the system!! So I'm going with the flow, and here's my story. 

I love dancing and have danced a bit in the past, in the kitchen, obviously, and also the legendary sticky dancefloor of the Buff Club, and a bit of salsa and tango.

After a little accident which took me away from activities for many months, I had a knee operation last October. I've been in the sin-bin for almost a year now, so I've figured this challenge could be just the thing I need to get back active again and to build up my stamina again.

Every £20 raised will get me an extra point in the competition on November 11th with the 4 dance couples; but basically all the money goes to MAV and the great work they do. I'm happy to be the laughing stock! I think there are still tickets left for the actual event (on the mezzanine) if you want to witness it first hand! 

Thanks for reading and please do donate if you can - a pound, a fiver, all just as welcome. Thank you.  

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

MAV have also created some specific text donate code for those who can deal with this sort of donation... GERY05 for Geraldine and these are the text or twitter messages that would go with your code people can change the amount should they wish:  Text GERY05 £5 to 70070 to donate to Medics Against Violence & support Geraldine for Ballroom Champ