A BURLESQUE performer and a lingerie designer have teamed up to raise money for Andover Fibromyalgia and ME Community Group next week.

The show Boo Burlesque will feature a performance from Andover’s Lady May J wearing a special “poppy” suspender belt which was especially designed for women suffering from the condition fibromyalgia by British lingerie brand Ella Vine.

The saucy fundraiser being held on Friday, 20 October is out to raise the profile of the painful, and not well understood condition of fibromyalgia which one in 20 people live with, including international pop diva Lady Gaga.

Designer Ella, who also has ME and fibromyalgia, said: “I’m proud to be able to support this fantastic case and very grateful to Lady May J for kindly holding the flag for all of us sufferers.

“People who live with chronic conditions, such as fibromyalgia, find the new fastening very helpful, which allows them to wear nice lingerie again.’’

The Boo Burlesque is a co-production between Lady May J and Norte Promotions Limited, run by Nancy Norte and Russ Ellingham set to take to the stage in the Hayward Suite, Wolversdene Club.

Lady May J started burlesque dancing last year with a background as a vintage, tattooed model, and put on her first show in May.

Lady May J said: “I had always admired burlesque dancers and the body positive empowerment they give to women.

“I was always bullied for being different as a child and never thought I would be brave enough to go on stage.

“Our first show in Andover with Nancy and Russ was such a great success that we decided to do our second show for October and just a few months ago Ella contacted me about the amazing poppy stocking.

“It turned out we have a mutual friend who suffers from fibromyalgia and it is close to my heart as my aunt also suffers from this awful disease. I thought anything Icould do to help was absolutely fine with me.

“I tested the stockings and as they are so easy to use have incorporated them in one of my acts for October.”

Tickets are available from www.nortepromotions.com at £15 each, and there will be a bucket collection for the local support network on the day.