Select a region
The family of a local dance teacher who recently passed away have paid special tribute to her - with the help of Sophie Ellis-Bextor, a giant disco ball and the Guinness Book of World Records.
Alongside her husband Thanda, Jessie Mutero was the founder of an inclusive dance company which helped scores of Jersey children with disabilities to find their rhythm.
Sadly, following the birth of the pair's twin daughters Starla Ratidzo and Aquila Simbiso in July 2020, Jessie was diagnosed with lung cancer, and passed away in December 2021, leading to floods of tributes from islanders whose lives had been touched by her.
With Jessie so well known for her ability to bring joy to others through the power of dance, when her family learnt of Sophie Ellis-Bextor's planned world record attempt at Camp Bestival in Dorset this summer, they knew they had to take part.
"We decided to be involved as I know my late wife... would've loved for us to do it," Thanda told Express.
Pictured: Jessie was there "in spirit" as the dancing team got into the record-breaking groove in the grounds of Lulworth Castle, her husband said.
The songstress, who rose to fame with 'Murder on the Dancefloor' and popularised the 'Kitchen Disco' during lockdown, kicked off the move-busting extravaganza on Saturday 30 July.
Fittingly, the song chosen for the record attempt was Sister Sledge classic 'We Are Family'.
Joining Thanda in sparkling sequin attire on the grassy disco tiles were his twin girls, Jessie's cousins, Emma Minty and Madeleine Minty, and her son Oliver Dolan.
In the end, 598 dancers took part - beating the previous record, the Guinness World Record adjudicators noted, by 274 people.
Video: Thanda and family can be seen at 00:20 in the official video.
It also raised funds for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, which helps children and young people rebuild their lives after a cancer diagnosis.
Thanda said it "really felt like [Jessie] was there with us in spirit".
He added: "It was such an awesome event and we really enjoyed ourselves and are happy to have been part of it."
Tributes to "special" teacher who broke disability barriers with dance
For the love of dance... and Jessie
£35k raised after inclusive dance teacher's terminal cancer diagnosis
GALLERY: Inclusive performing arts classes break disability barriers
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.