A young Blantyre woman who won her cancer battle at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, has celebrated life with the students at her dance school.
Mum-of-one Leigh Quigley runs the Hamilton-based Leigh Quigley School of Dance (LQSOD) and successfully held her first summer show with her young students earlier this month, having put all of her efforts into her dance school during her cancer fight.
The 23-year-old, who has just completed her second year studying HND Professional Dance Performance at New College Lanarkshire, was first diagnosed with stage one breast cancer in November 2020, undergoing intense radiotherapy sessions, as well as hormone treatment.
However, due to COVID-19 the treatment was not without its hold ups and downs, leading Leigh to open up her dance school in May 2021 as a focus away from her illness.
Leigh told Lanarkshire Live : "Aside from family life with my partner and baby, I needed something I could really focus on and get my teeth into.
"So I decided to open my dance school and put my attention to that during my treatment.
"Of course, there were days when I really struggled and worried about my health and there was quite a few bumps in road after I was diagnosed with meningitis in October 2021 - but I've been working on my health day-in, day-out since my diagnosis.
"I was adamant this year, as COVID restrictions loosened, I would have summer dance show with my students and a real celebration of life - especially after being given the all clear a few months ago.
"So I was delighted to get the kids on the stage earlier this month and into their costumes to perform for family and friends.
"I literally loved every minute of it and was so proud of each and every pupil.
"Now, within my fun, safe space - where children can come, learn dance and get out their shell - we are planning dance competitions and working toward our gala day performance, summer camp and next year's big show at Hamilton Townhouse."
Leigh, originally of Whitehill but now living in Blantyre, runs classes for children of all ages and abilities - she even runs adult fitness classes, all of which are available to see and book via Class4Kids.co.Uk
She is also running a summer camp from July 19 to 22 with all things dance and fun all within Whitehill Civic Centre.
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