The groovy grannies, who are through to the semi-finals of the National Lottery Awards 2008, went on a special trip to Edinburgh to share their dance moves with MSPs.

Back on home territory, they have been taking the St Giles' Centre in Elginby storm yesterday and today (Friday), inviting customers to join in their dance routines as they count down to midday, when the telephone poll that will determine their fate, closes.

The ladies deserve full marks for effort, going all out to raise the profile of their Keith-based group across Scotland.

Founder member Dot Bremner organised last Wednesday's trip to the Scottish Parliament, and although she couldn't join it, she said that the ladies had enjoyed a great day out.

"The girls had a wonderful time and Mary Scanlon and Richard Lochhead joined them," she said. "They were shown round the Parliament and did their dancing outside in the sculpture garden area."

It seems that the Hip Bumpers were able to set alarm bells ringing – one of their members has metal pins in her knee and triggered the security alarms when she entered and left the building.

Among the crowd of onlookers, one was overheard to say: "Oh, they are called the Hip Bumpers. They must have all had hip replacements."

Group secretary Evalyne Cowie said that even the coach breaking down on the way home, which meant they were not back in Keith until the wee sma' oors, failed to dampen their spirits.

Hip Bumpers share their gentle dance moves with MSPs Richard Lochhead and Mary Scanlon at the Scottish Parliament.

"We always have a lot of fun no mattter what we do and we had a good day. I think we have done our cause no end of good, speaking to people and handing out leaflets and strutting our stuff outside the building," she added.

The parliament trip, and the dance 'invasion' of the St Giles' Centre has raised the profile of their campaign to get the nation behind them as they battle it out against other Lottery-funded projects from across the UK for the chance to win £2,000 and to star on prime-time television.

The dance troupe is the only Scottish organisation to reach the semi-finals of the 'Woman' magazine best voluntary charity project.

To progress, they need to enlist the help of the public to vote for them, and this can be done by calling 0845 386 1502 or by visiting www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards

Time is running out, as the voting closes at midday today (Friday).

e.green@northern-scot.co.uk

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