LOVE Strictly? Here’s a FAB-U-LOUS opportunity for you!

DURHAM charity St Cuthbert’s Hospice are looking for 12 couples to take part in a Strictly Come Dancing style dance competition to raise funds.

The event is a staple in the charity’s calendar and last year raised over £20,000.

2024 Winners Lyndsay and Rebecca wowed judges with their Cha Cha / Samba mash-up, dancing to ‘Something Kinda Ooo’ by Girls Aloud and ‘Spice Up Your Life’ by the Spice Girls.

Dance schools Applegarth Academy of Dance and Dudman Academy of Performing Arts and Fitness are offering 10 weeks of free dance lessons to participating couples to prepare them for the grand finale at The Fed, Gateshead on Saturday 22^nd March 2025.

Jade McArdle Community and Events Manager said:

“We’re searching for 12 couples, they could be friends, partners or work collegues, to commit to the Strictly process, with expert tuition from the moment they don their dance shoes!

It’s such a fun event, beginners are welcome and you’ll make amazing memories together through the weeks as well as getting the chance to experience a little bit of Strictly magic – all for a good cause!” 

“We would like to thank Ann Haining, Kathryn Applegarth and their team at Applegarth Academy of Dance, and Lee Dudman and his team at Dudman Academy of Performing Arts & Fitness for their continued support.”

Dance lessons begin on Sunday 12^th January 2025.

Expressions of interest are now being taken, with a deadline of Friday 6^th December 2025.

Email fundraising@stcuthbertshospice.com or call 0191 386 1170 to speak to the fundraising team.

Visit https://www.stcuthbertshospice.com/events/strictly-st-cuthberts/ to register your interest.

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Photos:

Lead Photo Caption: Strictly St Cuthbert’s 2024 Winners Lyndsay and Rebecca.

 

Photo Caption: Strictly St Cuthbert’s 2024 Finalists – L-R (Chris, Senga, Sophie, Robyn, Mike, Lisa, Lyndsay and Rebecca)

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St Cuthbert’s Hospice in Durham is a registered charity. Whilst the NHS meets some of the running costs through local Commissioning Groups, a further £2.5 million must be raised per year by the hospice to run the services, with much of the money coming from local events and fundraising activities.

St Cuthbert’s Hospice opened in 1988 and provides care for people with life-limiting conditions, people approaching the end of life and people who are bereaved. This care and support is extended to family members and carers.

The In-Patient Unit, which opened in 2006 following a public appeal, allows the Hospice to offer 24-hour care for people living in Durham and the surrounding areas. There are 10 bedrooms which provide individualised care planned to support the total wellbeing of each person, taking into account their physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs. It provides holistic care for patients with life-limiting illness.