Pendleside Hospice takes a bow after Strictly success

Pendleside Hospice lit up the stage on Friday, 15th November, as the much-anticipated ‘Pendleside Does Strictly’ returned for its second year.

The glamorous evening, held at Impact Conferencing (Life Church) in Burnley, brought together 10 local ‘celebrities’, paired with professional dancers from Sandersons Dance & Fitness.

With dazzling routines and unforgettable performances, the event raised—and continues to raise—significant funds to support the hospice’s vital work.

After the success of last year’s dance competition, which raised an impressive £56,555.96, this year’s event is set to surpass that record.

By the time the first dance hit the stage, the event had already raised over £50,000 through JustGiving donations (including Gift Aid) thanks to the participants’ incredible fundraising efforts.

With ticket sales, raffle proceeds, bar sales, and live voting donations still to be counted, the final total will be announced in the coming weeks, but early indications suggest the goal will be met and exceeded.

Daisy Group, based in Nelson, generously sponsored the event, significantly contributing to covering its costs.

This support ensured that a greater portion of the income raised could go directly toward providing compassionate care and support for patients and their families in Burnley and Pendle.

Contestants from this year were selected through an application process, who were then paired with professional dancers from Sandersons Dance & Fitness.

The local dance school provided expert choreography and coaching, guiding the participants through weeks of preparation to ensure they were ready to shine on the big night.

The 10 contestants were Tracy Clavell-Bate, head of development and acquisition at Barnfield Construction, who danced with Daniel Griffiths; Liam Kilbride, managing director at LPK Facilities Management Ltd, who danced with Jess Duxbury and ultimately claimed the coveted first-place trophy; Joanne Wright, owner of Angles for Hair, who partnered with Lewis Sugden; Liz Leigh, a volunteer at Pendleside Hospice’s Dragonflies Boutique, who paired with Carol Walker; Nicola Thompson, owner of Daisy Chain Flower Shop, who danced with Max Preston; Endrit Shehu, co-owner of Empower HQ, who was partnered with Emily Binyon; Dan Randall, director at Life Church and the evening’s runner-up, who danced with Jess Porter; Chris Forrest, director of TCB Designs, who performed with Claire McNulty; Rob Hallam, director of Bigtank Productions, who danced with Yasmin Roberts; and Sarah Dean, membership manager at East Lancs Chamber of Commerce, who partnered with Henry Beale.

The evening began with an opening performance by Burnley College dance students, setting the stage for what was to come.

The contestants then brought their best moves to the floor, captivating the judges and audience alike. During the interval, wedding singer Gavin Young entertained the crowd with a lively set, keeping spirits high as the competition heated up.

Competition winner Liam Kilbride said: “The whole experience from start to finish is something I’ll never forget.

"All of the dancers have been brilliant, and the amount of money we have raised is just fantastic. We’ve formed a real bond and are already organising a reunion!

"A special mention to my little pocket rocket dance partner, Jess – she’s an absolute star for putting our routines together and somehow getting me to learn them!

"We’ve had a real laugh rehearsing, and to win on the night was just the icing on the cake.

"Anyone thinking of entering next year needs to get the form filled in as soon as possible. It’s an experience you’ll never forget.”

The event’s live-streaming option brought the excitement to an even wider audience, with over 750 devices, at any one time, tuned in from home.

The evening also benefited from the hard work of Pendleside’s fundraiser and event lead, Sarah Holdsworth, who supported the contestants with their individual fundraising activities and ensured the event ran smoothly.

Sarah said: “This event is a true reflection of the incredible community spirit we have in Burnley and Pendle.

"The dancers, their professional partners, our sponsors, staff, volunteers, and the wider community have all come together to make a real impact.

"Pendleside needs to generate 80 per cent in charitable income to keep the Hospice doors open, and this amount of money will make a significant difference in providing essential services to those in our area. Pendleside Does Strictly 2024 has been an amazing journey, and I can’t thank everyone enough for their dedication and generosity.”

With the final total yet to be announced, excitement is building for what promises to be another record-breaking year. Pendleside Hospice has confirmed that the competition will return in 2025, and those eager to take part can now apply through the form available on Pendleside’s Facebook page.

If you wish to get behind Pendleside’s annual event and make a donation, you can do so by visiting: www.justgiving.com/campaign/pendleside-does-strictly-2024