Hospice has a ball at strictly fundraiser

Supporters of Willowbrook Hospice had a Fab-u-lous time at hospice’s Strictly Glitter Ball, raising more than £10, 000. 

Hosted by Radio City’s breakfast show presenter, Leanne Campbell, the event saw over 250 guests enjoy a three course meal at The Venue, Huyton before watching eight amateur dancers take to the floor alongside professional dancers from the Silhouette Dance Club, St Helens.

All the dancers taking part achieved high scores but it was Willowbrook senior staff nurse, Neil Sutcliffe and his professional partner Tina Thomas, who secured four 10s for their A-MAZ-ZING American Smooth to ‘Singing in the Rain’. 

The pair were crowned Strictly Glitter Ball 2018 champions and picked up the coveted glitterball trophy after coming out on top with the judges. 

A special mini glitterball was also awarded to hospice supporter, Michelle Mutch after a guest vote crowned her and professional partner, James ‘The People’s Champions’ following their spectacular Samba. Michelle, 50 from Eccleston, St Helens dedicated her Strictly experience to her father Ted Glover who was cared for at the Prescot-based hospice and her mum Evelyn. 

Diane Swann, senior fundraiser at Willowbrook, was ‘over the moon with the response’ to the event. Diane said: “All the dancers were fantastic and on behalf of Willowbrook, I’d like to congratulate them for their commitment and dedication to learning to dance and to supporting the hospice in such an amazing way. 

“I’d also like to thank our expert panel of judges and Marie Smith and all the professional dancers from the Silhouette Dance Club.

“The audience was incredibly generous and it is wonderful that the event managed to raise over £10, 000 – every penny of which will enable us continue to care and support our patients and their families across Knowsley and St Helens.”