Mayor shows off his moves at Isamar’s Zumba-versary

A vibrant spectacle of confetti, sequins and tutus provided the perfect party atmosphere at a high-octane Zumba fundraiser for Isabel Hospice.

Isamar Martins has been leading her Latino dance and aerobic classes in Bishop’s Stortford for the past ten years and her money-spinner, the Zumba-versary, was a celebration of this milestone.

At her 9am class at Rhodes Arts Complex on Saturday, Isamar led her dancers through some favourite routines. There was fun and a few surprises, including Stortford’s mayor Cllr George Cutting joining in.

“The mayor came, and I actually made the mayor dance!” Isamar enthused. “It was fabulous, beautiful. Everything went perfectly, I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Venezuelan-born Isamar charged £5 entry – her classes are usually £8 when bought individually – and she will donate 20% of the proceeds to Isabel Hospice. A couple of years ago, Isamar underwent a preventative double mastectomy as she had a high risk of developing breast cancer. Within weeks, she was back teaching her classes, but cancer has remained an issue at the forefront of her mind; it claimed the life of her mother, who was cared for in a hospice in her home country, similar to Isabel Hospice.

Isamar is also good friends with Renee Friend, a long-standing volunteer for the charity, and Renee was one of the 50-plus Zumba followers who went long to support Isamar during the event, which raised £300. Donations continue to flood in and Isamar’s total is climbing by the day.