For the next 9 months, I’ll be training weekly with my dance partner Simon and instructor Kelly for Hugs Strictly Dancing 2023! 

My dance experience is very limited (even if I do think I’m Beyoncé on a night out), so this will be a real challenge - learning and rehearsing the steps, techniques and performance. ‘Mum dancing’ my way through ‘All the single ladies’ just ain’t gonna cut it for the judges. 

Myself and seven other local business people will then perform our dances at a gala evening on the 11th November for an audience. Terrifying? Yes exactly… 

Undoubtedly, I will trip/ fall flat on my face/ stand on Simon’s toes and make a complete fool of myself. For that reason alone, it’s worth sponsoring me right? 

If that’s not enough to make you part with your money, the charity that we’re doing this all for certainly will. Hugs Children’s Cancer charity does incredible work for families going through the most horrific times of their lives.

Here’s a bit about Hugs, what they do and how they came about…

Henry was just 3 years old when he was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer that is notoriously difficult to treat. Henrys family had to relocate from Plymouth to Bristol for treatment which lasted nearly 18 months. On return to Plymouth the family wanted to open a charity to support other people from the region who had to also travel to Bristol for treatment and to provide emotional support for those going through the same journey.

In 2015 the Hallam family opened Hugs From Henry, providing peer to peer support for families Who found themselves on the same journey as they did.The family provide a private respite centre in Cornwall for families to visit. The home called Henrys hideout gives families a place away from the hospital to make memories and relax. This is open to all families who have a child or have had a child with cancer.

Please give generously (or what you can) to help these families get the support they need and deserve. 

Thank you xxx