The dancing queens of Milton Keynes

FOR six months they had fundraised, dreamed and relentlessly rehearsed.

Then last weekend the 21 members of Alderney's Keep Fit Association dance squad finally got to show their stuff in front of a 1,400-strong audience in Milton Keynes.

They were among 25 teams selected from across the British Isles to perform at the national KFA festival this month. They were also one of only two youth teams appearing.

The girls, aged eight to 16, and their tireless teacher and choreographer Angela Stanley raised £10,000 to pay for flights, hotels and costumes with a 24-hour dance-a-thon, a St Patrick's disco, a sponsored walk and a jumble sale and raffle. Every week they practised their four-and-a-half minute routine to Kanye West's Diamonds From Sierra Leone, which combined ribbon work with rap segments.

Last weekend saw the culmination of all that hard work. Milton Keynes Theatre was packed, with almost as many people in the audience as there are residents of Alderney.

'We were all nervous,' said Mrs Stanley. 'I said to them, "just go out and enjoy it, and remember it". Liz Sumner's costumes really sparkled under the lights and they looked spectacular. As the music started I held my breath and my heart was banging in my chest. My whole body was really cold.

'I just wanted them through it, A to B, and for everything to be OK. It felt like each one of them was my child. Watching was just sheer pride.'

Alex Campbell, 13, said she was glad the bright lights meant they couldn't see the audience. 'I was really nervous beforehand in case I did it wrong and my throat went really dry. We got an amazing round of applause even though most people weren't even from Alderney. I would do it all again if I could.'

Maria Etheredge, 15, added: 'When someone dropped a ribbon, I don't think anyone noticed much because there was always so much movement on stage. If you're confident and you smile, I don't think people mind. The applause afterwards was amazing. It was nothing like practising in a school hall.'

Afterwards, said Mrs Stanley, the mood was one of pure exhilaration. 'They were bouncing, hitting the ceiling.' Then it was time to rest, get ready for their evening show – and of course go shopping.

'Everyone who gave or did anything to help get them to Milton Keynes – they did them proud,' said Mrs Stanley.

'I think it was an experience that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.'