The Oldham Hospice is bringing its very own version of the popular BBC programme Strictly Come Dancing to the community! They promise a glamorous evening full of entertainment and good food for a good cause.
Dr Kershaw’s Hospice is putting on a night of glitz and glamour at a Strictly Come Dancing-themed event titled ‘Dr Kershaw’s Strictly’ to raise vital funds for patient care at the Hospice.
The theme for this year’s event is ‘A Night at the Movies’, which will see each of the Hospice’s dance couples take to the floor to showcase their dance to a song from a much-loved movie. Audience members will enjoy a welcome drink on arrival, a three-course meal, and live entertainment, including special guest performances. They can participate in a fundraising raffle and auction with fantastic prizes up for grabs!
Dr Kershaw’s Strictly will see ten specially selected contestants from the local community compete in front of a panel of judges, as well as a live audience, in the hope of being crowned the Dr Kershaw's Strictly Glitterball Champion at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, West Street, Oldham on Friday 15th March 2024.
The Hospice has partnered with five couples, who will be working with professional dance schools for seven weeks to learn how to perform various dance styles, including street dance, ballroom, and Latin. Dr Kershaw’s has four local dance schools on board: Jayne Barnes School of Dance, The Amy Mackie School of Dance and Drama, Jenna Huszár, and RF Dance, who are giving their time up free of charge to support the Hospice to raise funds.
Lawrence O’Grady, retired Probation Officer, and Shereen Howarth, Managing Director of Cornerstone Estates and Letting, have been selected as dancers and partnered up for the event. Lawrence and Shereen have already kicked off their fundraising for Hospice care.
Lawrence said: “My late wife was cared for by Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, and I am so grateful to the Hospice Team for the care they provided. Despite having two left feet, I signed up for Strictly to help raise funds for Dr Kershaw’s!”
Sheeran added: “My company was looking for a local charity to support in 2024, and Dr Kershaw’s Hospice has a massive impact on the lives of individuals in Oldham, so I decided to lead the cause myself and take on the challenge of Dr Kershaw’s Strictly.”
Rebecca Bentham, Director of Income Development & Marketing at the Hospice, said: “We are thrilled about our upcoming Dr Kershaw’s Strictly event; it’s a great occasion with an incredible atmosphere. We have a fantastic group of contestants, and I’m excited to see them perform. They each have their own story about why they want to support the Hospice and have already kick-started their fundraising! I am eager to see them start to train and develop their dance skills for the big night, where they will take to the dance floor to compete for our coveted glitterball trophy. We hope as many people as possible from the local community can come to the event and support our dancers and patient care at our Hospice!”
Hosted by Oldham Pantomime legend Jeff Longmore, with a special panel of judges, surprise performances, a raffle, an auction, and an array of other entertainment, the evening promises to be a night to remember!
*If you would like to join the Hospice for an evening of entertainment to raise vital funds for Dr Kershaw's, you can buy your tickets here: www.drkh.org.uk/strictly
**Each dancer has now set up their fundraising page. To support Dr Kershaw’s dancers and the Hospice, visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/drkhstrictly24
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