Nursery teacher Salma Razzaq has celebrated 30 years since her successful liver transplant with a charity danceathon - in a variety of fancy dress costumes - to raise money for the Children's Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF).

The charity has been close to 38-year-old Salma's heart ever since she received a life-saving liver transplant when she was just nine years old.

Salma, who teaches at Lordship Farm Primary School in Letchworth, said: "Out of the blue I became very jaundiced and very poorly and it turned out I was suffering from acute liver failure. We still don’t know why.

"I do know, however, that I am incredibly lucky and blessed to be here and that is due to the selfless act of an organ donor and a family who gave an amazing gift at a very difficult time.

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"Next year, I will be 30 years post-transplant and I wanted to celebrate this by raising funds for a charity which supports the many families around the UK who are still going through what mine did.

"I know about the amazing work which CLDF do for families in that situation and supporting them is very important to me."

Salma held a danceathon in Hitchin's Market Place from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, with live perfomances from local singer Max Ryan and DJs Sami-B and Jaz Saund. 

There was also the opportunity to buy Indian snacks and treats donated by local businesses.

Salma raised £4,000 - smashing her £500 target.

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She said: "I wanted to express my thanks for the chance I have been given and raise much-needed funds by doing two of the things I love the most - dancing and feeding people!"

Rebecca Cooper, chief executive of the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, said: "CLDF is the only UK charity dedicated to fighting all childhood liver diseases, by providing information and emotional support, funds for research and a voice for all those affected. In order to do this, however, we rely on voluntary donations, so we are delighted to hear about Salma’s danceathon."

You can still donate to Salma's fundraising page at justgiving.com/page/salma-razzaq-1680721766435?.