A flashmob of professional dancers appeared in Richmond today with incredible and moving performances to raise awareness of MND.

People stopped and stared as the group filled the pavement outside Richmond Station (see video above) and then the steps of Heron Square during Duck Pond Market, laughing and clapping along – with a few wet eyes, too.

Watch the performance at Heron Square here.

The dance was inspired by the work of neuroscientists at The Francis Crick Institute London and at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and aimed to convey the impact of neuromuscular diseases on the body. It was led by Star Cells Artistic Director Anne-Marie Smalldon.

The dancers were dressed as scientists, doctors, teachers and artists – and some wore Leeds Rhinos kits as a nod to MND sufferer Rob Burrows.

Smalldon said: "These guys are representing the heroes in the pandemic – we've got doctors, scientists, artists, teachers.

"Those people who represent the way out of Covid also represent the way out of MND - it's a parallel to the pandemic.

"We're inspired by Rob Burrows and Lucy Lintott who have shared their MND stories. It's a terrible disease and we need to raise awareness of it."

Mitchell at Duck Pond Market had a prime vantage point for the dance over at the Bliss Olives stall.

He told Nub News: "It was wonderful. It was actually a really good spot to do it here at the market too – there is a lot of good energy here.

"They are really talented."

Duck Pond Market Manager Alicia Verman said: "It was brilliant and it just brought such a lovely atmosphere to the square.

"I'm so glad they did it in the square - It's made my day!

The group of dancers were part of the London's Combination Dance Company and the Rambert School, and came from all over the country to perform.

One of the dancers, Spike, is a first year student at Rambert Dance School where he says his time is split between ballet and contemporary dance.

He said: "I thought it went really well today, everyone had a really good time.

"It has been nice to meet other dancers from other parts of the country.

"It feels good to raise awareness of something so important.

"I have learned a lot about how MND impacts so many people – before I had only heard of ALS due to the ice bucket challenge.

"It's opened my eyes and I hope its opened other people's eyes too."

Today was also the launch of Richmond Live, a celebration of music, dance and theatre in Richmond upon Thames taking place this summer.

Keep your eyes peeled for more information and dates and visit www.visitrichmond.co.uk for more information.

After dancing in Richmond the group then moved on to Twickenham's pedestrianised Church Street where they performed to a large crowd, including Deputy Mayor of Richmond upon Thames Cllr Suzette Nicholson.

Cllr Nicholson said: "It was fantastic to see dancers light up the borough today.

"We have all missed performing arts during the pandemic's lockdowns, and so it was wonderful that communities got to enjoy surprise performances."

Today's flashmobs were the finale of Star Cells' "moving virtual promenade performance" beginning with a similar performance last month at St Pancras International.

One of the Star Cells' producer's mums had MND and the organisation wants to raise the profile of the MND Association charity.

Smalldon said: "We were so inspired by the neurological research happening – it's just amazing what their work could do to cure MND and we want to tell people about it."

Last month the group filmed a virtual self-guided walk around St. Pancras International, Kings Cross Station and The Francis Crick Institute that is now available to explore on the Star Cells website.

They describe it as "a celebration of resilience, community spirit and hope for the future - just what we all need right now."

Thank you for bringing the celebration to Richmond!

To watch any of the dances back again see our Facebook page, or IGTV Live.

For the Twickenham flashmob visit Twickenham Nub News Facebook page