West End star Ruthie Henshall participates in St Joseph's Preparatory School's Aerobathon with her daughter and the schools' Dr Martin Hine to raise money for a school in Kenya. Photographs: Su Anderson

Wayne Savage, entertainment writer Monday, January 26, 2015 9:50 AM

What better way to get ready for the day ahead than an aerobics workout with West End and Broadway star Ruthie Henshall?

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What better way to get ready for the day ahead than an aerobics workout with West End and Broadway star Ruthie Henshall?

The Suffolk-raised singer and actress, currently appearing as Mrs Wilkinson in the London production of Billy Elliot, joined students at Ipswichs St Josephs College yesterday to help them raise money for the colleges work with the Osiligi Obaya School, in Kenya.

Sponsored by families and friends, 150 nursery reception and prep school pupils packed into the gym for the session with the rest of the student body taking part throughout the rest of the day.

Music blasting, there were swivelling hips, raised arms and fist pumping as far as the eye could see for the aerobathon, which was led by Kay Fletcher and Kelly Root.

Henshall didnt sing along, saving her voice for next Fridays Head West gala charity fundraising concert, also in aid of the Osiligi Obaya School project. Performing in the colleges chapel, she will team up with Mike and the Mechanics frontman Tim Howar to perform personally selected favourites from their West End and Broadway careers. Tim and I have welcomed the chance to show our support for the partnership between St Josephs and the Osiligi Obaya School in Kenya by singing in the concert, said Ruthie.

Our daughters are both at St Josephs, which is supporting their growth into well-rounded individuals and were only too delighted to help the colleges efforts in creating a similar nurturing and progressive environment in a community that is not as privileged as ours.

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Gallery: West End star Ruthie Henshall joins St Joseph College Ipswich students for workout