Hi there

Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I’m taking part in Dance Floor Heroes, which is the flagship fund raising event for the wonderful mental health charity, TIA’s Crown. By a mixture of pure luck and good fortune I have made it through the heats to the final 12 for the one off Strictly Come Dancing style event at the Winter Gardens.  As someone who is the wrong side of a big number and has never disco danced in his life this promises to be an interesting challenge. Or as my children put it, potentially good comedy value.  However, as someone that has also suffered from mental health issues and seen the very real benefits that dance can offer, this feels like an opportunity for me to exorcise a few ghosts whilst raising money for a very worthy cause. 

I will be dancing the Samba which, as Strictly fans will know all too well is really hard!!! Fortunately the professional dancer that I have been paired with for the final is the wonderful Emma Gill from Example Dance Academy. She's lovely, very encouraging and somehow manages to keep a straight face whilst I'm trying new moves and struggling to get those hips moving.

Tia’s Crown is a charity set up to provide help and support for people’s health and mental well-being through dance and social interaction where this previously may not have been available. Obviously all money raised through this JustGiving page goes directly to the charity and, therefore, will make a significant positive benefit to someone’s life.

Thank you for any donation that you feel able to make - it really is appreciated.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.