"A project dedicated to the health and well-being of top level dancers is gathering momentum. A £30,000 donation from Harlequin Floors brings the reality of the UK’s first National Institute of Dance Medicine and Science a step closer. The institute will operate as a linked network of small centres offering high quality, dance-specific healthcare and dance-science support services – the type of services already available to dancers in the largest ballet companies and to elite athletes. Behind the idea is Dance UK, supported by a clutch of experts in the field of dance including Trinity Laban, the University of Wolverhampton and the Jerwood Centre for the Prevention and Treatment of Dance Injuries at Birmingham Royal Ballet. Camilla Dallerup, 2008 Strictly Come Dancing champion, said: “As a professional dancer I’ve learnt that having regular access to a specialist who understands the demands on a dancers’ body is absolutely essential to help prevent serious injury and has undoubtedly prolonged my performing career."