De Montfort University Bonnie Tyler flash mob in record bid

They might not have conjured any knights on fiery steeds, but a host of fund-raising heroes turned out for an all-singing all-dancing extravaganza yesterday.

More than 1,000 De Montfort University students and staff, police officers, Leicester Tigers players, Leicestershire county cricketers and members of the public danced to and mimed the words of Bonnie Tyler's 1980s classic Holding Out For A Hero, in Castle Gardens, Leicester.

Spurred on by a good luck message from the gravel-voiced rock chick herself, they were hoping to set a world record for the biggest lip-synching flash mob.

But while they failed to achieve that, they did raise lots of cash for the charities Loros and Prostaid, with each person paying £1 to take part.

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University vice-chancellor Professor Dominic Shellard came up with the idea as part of the 2012 Grant Thornton Executive Quest, which challenges bosses to come up with original fund-raising activities.

"I could have climbed Snowdon or run a marathon, but I wanted to do something that got the whole community involved and this seemed like a fantastic idea," he said.

"I'm absolutely ecstatic about the turnout."

The fun was captured by a film crew and an edited version will shortly appear on the university's website and YouTube.

The video shows Prof Shellard being chased through the university campus wearing a wig resembling Bonnie Tyler's hair.

Bonnie phoned the university yesterday, ahead of the event, to wish everyone good luck.

She said: "I think it's wonderful using this song to raise money. I wish everyone the best of luck and ask them to dig deep in their pockets."

The choreographed dance moves included Mo Farah's Mobot and Bruce Forsyth's signature bent knee and clenched fist stance.

Leicester City ambassador Alan Birchenall wanted to give his moves a bit of extra pizzazz and turned to a South Korean chart hit for inspiration.

"I rehearsed my moves and made them into the latest Gangnam Style," he said.

Leicester Tigers player Andrew Symons, 21, said: "Raising awareness of these charities is important work and it's been lots of fun at the same time."

Ross Tarbard, 33, who works in the communications department at the university, was there with his three-year-old son, Alex, who dressed as Superman for the occasion.

He said: "My brother's best friend died from testicular cancer this year, aged just 29, so this was very important to me."