Couple jive around the world to raise thousands

A couple who spent 2025 jiving in locations all over the world have together raised almost £4,500 for charity.

Diane and Steve Gee, from Burton Latimer in Northamptonshire, danced in 108 international venues, to raise £4,473 for Macmillan Cancer Support and the Cyprus Alzheimer's Association.

The challenge began when a friend suggested that Diane mark her 60th birthday by dancing in 60 different places. Since then they have danced with sea lions in Chile, inside a submarine, and in front of Christ the Redeemer in Brazil.

Diane Gee said: "[Now the challenge is finished] we'll still be jiving. There just won't be the pressure of doing it for charity. Jiving is an integral part of our lives now."

The pair joined a jive club soon after settling in Cyprus in 2023 and, as their confidence grew, the idea evolved into a charity project.

Their final fundraising performance was on New Year's Eve, at a sports bar close to their home.

The couple often asked strangers to record their dances, attracting curious looks from passers-by.

"The place where we got the oddest looks was in New Delhi train station waitng for a train," she said.

"There were hundreds and hundreds of locals and we were just jiving on the platform."

Steve Gee added: "My favourite place [to jive] was probably Machu Pichu in Peru because it's such an iconic location with the backdrop."

Although the challenge is now finished, dancing will remain part of the couple's travels and they have already booked a jiving cruise around the Caribbean in March.

Diane Gee said: "Whenever we travel, we'll be looking at places thinking, can we jive there?

"It's now part of the fun."

Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, external, Instagram, external and X, external.