I am honoured, and delighted (if a bit nervous!) to have been asked by Teens Unite to dance in their STRICTLY DANCING BALL 2024!

It was completely out of the blue when Debbie Pezzani called me to ask me if I would do it. My cousin Jayne Clancy had put me forward (unbeknown to me! Don’t worry I’ll get you back!). I was made aware of the enormity of the commitment but said yes fairly quickly after thinking that this was a total win-win. I learn to dance and get fit whilst at the same time raising funds for young people whose lives have been devastated by cancer. Everyone will know someone who has, or has had, cancer. And it’s not going away. In fact global cancer cases in people under 50 have risen by 79 per cent (!) between 1990 and 2019, according to research published in September last year in the BMJ. For teenagers a cancer diagnosis can be particularly cruel, so I am very proud to be taking part. The dance lessons have started and I’m going to give it my best shot. I just hope I don’t let the side down!

Teens unite is a fantastic charity. They have been on my radar for many years, and I have done previous challenges for them, including a bike ride across Cuba. I am delighted to be raising money for TU, so please donate to help me reach my target. And wish me luck! With love, Novello x