It’s only the very lucky few who can claim they have fulfilled their two life ambitions, but professional ballet dancer turned Salvation Army officer Major Ray Begley can say just that.

Currently head of the Boscombe Salvation Army Church, the largest centre in Europe, Major Ray, 56, danced in six West End shows, three royal galas and performed for two years at Disneyland in his twenties.

He then travelled the world with the Salvation Army and received military training so he could support the troops in warzones and disaster areas, including the relief effort in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, after the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004.

Before joining the Salvation Army training college in 1985, Australian-born Major Ray rubbed shoulders with stars including Elaine Paige, Wayne Sleep and Andrew Lloyd Webber during his successful dance career.

He performed in iconic shows, including Evita, Oklahoma, Dash and a Royal Shakespeare production called Poppy, but it was during his time in Evita that he realised his true calling was with the Salvation Army.

“During the run of Evita shows God called me to leave my life as a dancer. I can remember very clearly it was a freezing cold night and I just knew it was the kind of work I wanted to do.”

Every Tuesday night throughout the whole time he was performing in the West End, Major Ray would volunteer at the soup kitchen and take donated stage clothes from the likes of Elaine Paige for the homeless.

He remembered how surprised Andrew Lloyd Webber was to hear he would be leaving his life in the entertainment industry and his role as principal tango dancer in Evita.

“Andrew just couldn’t believe it.

“He was a very mysterious man, always lurking about in the wings wearing a long fur coat, but he is an absolute genius and knows exactly what people want.”

Classically trained dancer Ray was taught ballet, tap, modern and jazz and identifies his big break as being accepted into the elite Australian National Ballet School at 17.

“I was trained by some of the best teachers in the world, so after that I found it easy to get parts in the best shows in the West End.

“My favourite was Oklahoma, you can’t beat songs like Surrey with the Fringe on Top.”

The two years Major Ray spent working as a dancer at Disneyland in the Yaberdaberdo show also had a huge impact on his career.

“I loved the work ethic there, because everyone strived for absolute perfection and this was really embedded in me.”

He now applies this drive to his work at the Salvation Army and he has jointly run the centre at Boscombe for one year with his 51-year-old wife Carelle.

The pair also oversees the BH1 Project, which is a drop-in centre for the homeless providing care, support, food and showers.

Major Ray said: “I am delighted to be here, I love the beach and I believe there are real needs here in Bournemouth which we are trying hard to meet, it’s a really hand-on operation. I also lead services for weddings, funerals, I dedicate babies and we take it in turns to preach to a congregation of 300 to 400 every Sunday morning.”

Ray and Carelle met at the Salvation Army training centre in 1985, married in 1992 and now have two daughters, Alicia, 16 and Danielle, 15, who are both interested in the performing arts. Carelle, a talented pianist, spoke about how difficult it was when her husband went to volunteer in dangerous war zones and areas in crisis.

She said: “Ray has served in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Sri Lanka and Kenya and the whole family are very nervous whenever he goes, but I try and keep everyone positive.”

Major Ray now choreographs for Salvation Army events including one at the Royal Albert Hall.

He said: “Hundreds dream to make it as a dancer, but very few make it.

“I am so lucky to have fulfilled my two life ambitions.”

This article is taken from our Seven Days magazine, inside your Saturday Echo every week. Want to see more? Visit bournemouthecho.co.uk/sevendays