I lost my oldest son, Oliver, four years ago, just before his 13th birthday.  That's Oliver in the photos below. We spent wonderful times together often at Martin House Children's Hospice.  My youngest son, Max, faces the same life-limiting condition and we also still spend time together at Martin House.  Louis, who of course has faced particular challenges with his brothers, also loves our stays there, as part of their concern for both siblings and the whole family. We all greatly appreciated their bereavement support following Oliver's death, and continue to really benefit from their support and care for Max  

Martin House's "Strictly Get Dancing" is a huge event involving two months of intense and demanding dance lessons, throughout January and February 2015, in Argentine tango and waltz, culminating in a glittering Grand Final spectacular on February 28th.  This event brings together my deep wish to contribute what I can to their brilliantly supportive work with life limited children and their families, with my developing love of that most addictive and yet elusive of dances, Argentine tango.  I hope you will feel able to offer some support to mark my efforts with this undoubtedly exhilarating and exciting but nonetheless nerve wracking and challenging event..... 

Whilst regarding myself as a 'beginner' at tango (and I think this feeling persists however much you practice) I am a complete beginner at the waltz. As a self-employed leadership coach I travel a lot to meet with clients for our 1-2-1 sessions.  When I am at home, therefore, I focus on my most important job - being a 'dad', so I was massively hesitant to make this demanding time commitment to intensive lessons for two months.... but I am so glad I was talked into it!!

What I am hoping to achieve from Strictly?  Most importantly, I want to raise a lot of money for Martin House Children's Hospice; I am also looking forward to dancing with Elly Fiorentini, my dance partner for this event and the BBC Radio York drive time presenter; to improving my tango and learning to waltz; to having lots and lots of fun.... and, I have to admit this, to taking home The Glitter Ball!!  I can dream....  :-/

Thank you so much for anything you might feel able to give.  I already very much appreciate your interest, support and generosity

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