Singers, dancers, a sword act and a dog performance will battle it out at the Thanet’s Got Talent semi-finals on June 1.
The event, run by Margate sign company owner Ingrid Payne, is raising funds so she can have surgery after being turned down for NHS treatment.
Ingrid suffers from lipoedema which is a long-term condition where there’s an abnormal build-up of fat cells in the legs, thighs and buttocks, and sometimes in the arms.
The typical symptoms are a large lower half and column-like legs, which are often tender and bruise easily. For example, the top half of a sufferer’s body may be a size 8, but the bottom half may be a size 16.
This becomes painful and can lead to immobility. The cause of lipoedema is not known but it affects women almost exclusively and is thought to be linked to hormones. The disease affects around 11% of women.
Mum-of-one Ingrid says the only treatment available is liposuction but with costs in the UK in the region of £30,000 she is now trying to raise money for cheaper treatment abroad.
The competition heats have been running all year and now the semi-finalists will compete for a place in the finals on June 23.
The contenders are Matthew Mills (sword act) Annabell and Mr Wizzypuff (dog act) Emileigh Wallis (singer) Sako Jefcoate (dancer) Mia Gedge (singer) Adam Green (singer – acoustic) Danni Church (singer) Natalie Brown (singer) Mark Pemble (singer) Otis Phoenix (dancer) Olivia Rogers (singer) Eve Allen (singer) Lewis Johnson (singer guitarist) Tony Buck (singer) Benn Cockram (rapper) and Angel Everdeen (singer).
The semi finals take place at Olby’s Soul Café, King Street, Margate from 6pm. The finals will be held at Broadstairs Pavilion from 6pm/.
Raffle, autographs and an after party are included. Elvis tribute band Taking Care of Vegas will perform at the finals and there will be celebrity guests including Sandra Martin from Gogglebox and Miles from Tracey Beaker’s The Dumping Ground. Tickets cost £10 and can be bought by calling 07305 742760 or order through the Thanet’s Got Talent facebook page here