Fundraising party for champion dancing paramedic

Leon Westcott, a newly-qualified paramedic with South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT), landed the title at the World Irish Dance Championships in Killarney, County Kerry in April 2023.

He finds that the rapid toe-tapping moves of Irish dancing keeps him in top physical form, to help save lives as a paramedic.

The 23-year-old, from Stratton in Swindon, says: "It is tradition that the World Champion hosts a party in celebration of their win. I will be holding one in July in aid of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance."

Leon added: "My job is very physical, lifting and supporting patients; and spending lots of time on my feet. So, I actually use Irish dancing to keep my fitness up.

"Running up to the world championships, I was in dance training five days a week, often straight after a long shift of caring for patients across Wiltshire.

"My colleagues here at SWASFT are very excited to have the World Irish Dance Champion on the team. They’re always asking me to show them a bit of Irish dancing.

"Becoming the World Champion has been an absolute dream of mine and one that I never believed possible."

Everyone at Wiltshire Air Ambulance would like to congratulate Leon on his success and thank him to supporting us through his title party.

Find out how you could fundraise for Wiltshire Air Ambulance.