SHOPPERS were given a thrilling surprise when dedicated young carers burst into dance.

Various spots around Hartlepool’s town centre were turned into a Michael Jackson video set as youngsters gave their own rendition of his famous Thriller dance in a series of flashmob dances.

The term is used to describe a group of people who assemble suddenly in one place and perform an act for a brief period.

And the youngsters from Hartlepool Carers did just that yesterday as they spent lunchtime touring Hartlepool town centre and bursting into dance.

It was organised as a fundraising event as the hard-working young carers look to raise as much money as possible to fund a well-deserved Christmas party.

Their day of dance started out at the steps of Hartlepool Civic Centre, in Victoria Road. They moved into Middleton Grange Shopping Centre and then out on to York Road.

Onlookers stopped to enjoy the performance as the group of carers put on the impressive show.

Steve Plant, family support worker at Hartlepool Young Carers, based in Lothian Road, in the town, said: “The youngsters really enjoyed it. They were on a high from the start of the day and it takes some guts to perform in the middle of the town centre.”

Hartlepool Young Carers supports children who look after someone in their family who has an illness, a disability, a mental health or a substance misuse problem.

The youngsters spend hours undergoing the responsibility of being a carer, so the charity organises trips out, gatherings and events so they can relax.

Steve said: “The youngsters wanted to organise their own Christmas party so started thinking of a few fundraising ideas to help them along the way.

“They came up with the idea of a flashmob and have been working hard with the volunteers co-ordinator, Claire Jewson, who choreographed it all.

“It’s the first time we have done anything like this, but it went really well.

“We aren’t sure how much we have raised yet.

“It’s really important for the youngsters to enjoy things such as a Christmas party.

“It’s vital they get the opportunity to be a young person and get time away from being a carer.”

The Christmas party is also going to incorporate an awards ceremony for the youngsters.

Hartlepool Young Carers hold a junior group session for carers aged between seven and 12 on a Monday from 5pm-6.30pm.

They hold a similar session for 13 to 18-year-olds on a Tuesday from 5pm-7pm.

For more information about the charity call (01429) 283095.

http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/local/flashmob_put_on_thriller_of_a_show_1_3902327