While donning a torn white shirt and wearing makeup, Erin Johnson, 17, moved like a zombie across the Bedford High School gymnasium floor.

Johnson, along with more than 100 other zombies, danced to the hit Michael Jackson song, “Thriller,” during a charity event aimed at helping set a new world record for the largest simultaneous dance while aiding a local student afflicted with a neuromuscular disorder.

“Thrill the World, Bedford, NH,” held Saturday, Oct. 24, raised $4,000 for Holly’s Hope, a local nonprofit organization. The money will be channeled to Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance, a Virginiabased organization known as FARA that is committed to finding a cure for Friedreich’s ataxia, a debilitating, life-shortening, degenerative neuromuscular disease.

“It’s going to a good cause,” said Johnson, a Bedford High senior. “It’s exciting to be part of a world record. People responded and wanted to be in it. I’m impressed people dressed up and came to support a member of our community.”

“Thrill the World” is an annual international dance phenomenon. As the “zombies” in Bedford performed the six-minute “Thriller” dance, starting at 8:30 p.m., so, too, did thousands of other people around the globe.

Last year, 4,179 people in 10 countries simultaneously danced to the song. Because of Jackson’s death last June, organizers hoped to draw 270,000 participants this year in order to break a Guinness World Record.

Going into Saturday, there were registered dance events in more than 33 countries. Volunteers who organize a “Thrill the World” event in their community can tie the dance to a cause of their choice. Holly’s Hope is named for Holly Franz, 15, a Bedford High sophomore who has FA and uses a wheelchair at school.

Kelsey Poremba, a BHS senior, organized the local fundraiser. Her efforts will help her fulfill the Creativity Action and Service activities requirement of the school’s International Baccalaureate program.

“I think the turnout was amazing,” Franz said. “There were so many dancers and so many spectators. To (attach) Holly’s Hope to this event – that was so great. We didn’t ask for it. Kelsey said, ‘We want to do this for you.’”

Holly’s Hope was started by Holly and her friend and schoolmate, Jess Wojenski. The organization sells handmade jewelry and donates the proceeds to FARA to help find a cure.

Volunteers at the dance sold raffle tickets, “Thrill the World” T-shirts, jewelry and food. Tracey Ivester of Tracey’s Boutique of Merrimack painted faces for $6 each. Ivester, the sister of guidance counselor Lisa Jacques, donated half of her proceeds to the cause. “Thriller” was released in the early 1980s. A 14-minute music video of the same name features Jackson dancing with zombies and a dialogue by Vincent Price.

The dance, held a week before Halloween, was decorated to create a spooky look. Bleacher railings were draped with cobwebs and orange lights. A skeleton was dressed in a black cape. As people walked into the gym, they encountered a long, yellow tape carrying the warning, “Caution: Enter if you dare.”

Organizers encouraged people of all ages to participate and hosted a pair of workshops at the school earlier in the month to teach the dance. Many of the participants also practiced at home while watching a video online.

“It’s fun,” said Karla McManus, who came with her daughter, Hannah, 9. “We learned a new dance and we’re supporting Holly. It’s a good cause.”

“I always loved ‘Thriller,’” said BHS freshman Daniel Alvarado, 14, who was excited to help set a possible new world record. “It’s a great song. It was really heartbreaking for everyone all over the world when (Michael Jackson) died.”

In addition to the dancers, the event drew 120 people who paid to watch from the bleachers. People even came from Massachusetts, Vermont and Maine.

Some participants hadn’t previously met Holly but had read about the fundraiser in the newspaper.

“It puts together two things near and dear to me – helping someone and dancing,” said Vicki Farer of Bedford, a former dance instructor.

“I love the ‘Thriller’ dance and the music video and learning the dance,” said Sherie Prior, 25, who drove about an hour from Webster, a small town near Concord, so she could join in the fun. “Now, you can break out (and do the dance) at parties.”

When the dance ended, participants hugged each other and exchanged highfives. And they cheered when they learned how many people came and how much money was raised.

Organizers already are talking about making the dance an annual fundraiser. “Hopefully, we’ll get some people to do this next year,” Wojenski said. “That would be cool, if we could get it going again. It could be an annual event here.”

The dance was not the first time Bedford High students have rallied to help Holly’s Hope. A talent show held last January raised more than $5,000 for the cause. Holly’s mother, Hannelore Federspill, is grateful to the school community for their efforts.

“I don’t know if words can describe it,” she said after the dance. “I was overwhelmed. I was so appreciative. This high school never ceases to amaze me. They all have good hearts.”