COVENTRY’S fifth annual ‘Strictly Christmas’ charity dance show raised over £130,000 for the city’s Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice.
The show took place at the Royal Court Hotel and saw 24 contestants and their experienced dance partners compete for the top prize.
The judging panels featured a host of celebrities including former Strictly Come Dancing pro dancer AJ Pritchard, his brother and Love Island star Curtis Pritchard and BAFTA Award-winning actor David Bradley, who played Mr Filch in the Harry Potter films.
The 24 novice dancers had around eight weeks to learn the Ballroom Waltz and a Latin Jive, before performing at two shows in front of over 700 people.
Each contestant committed to raising at least £500 through tin rattling, bake sales, race nights and an online auction.
Strictly Christmas has raised nearly £480,000 for Zoë’s Place since launching in 2017.
Zoë’s Place provides respite, palliative and end-of-life care to babies and infants with life-threatening or life-limiting conditions.
Strictly Christmas Show Director, James Sanders, said: We are beyond amazed at the levels of fundraising achieved this year – both by our contestants and experienced dancers, but also by the generosity of our sponsors and our audience.
“We are incredibly proud to look back at what Strictly Christmas has achieved since 2017, supporting the vital work of Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice, and even more so to think that this event is organised by a small volunteer team.”
Zoë’s Place head of fundraising, Ian Carr, added: “There aren’t enough words to describe how grateful we are here at Zoë’s Place for the incredible Strictly Christmas team.
“For the contestants to go out of their comfort zones, learn a new skill, dedicate 8 plus weeks, perform fantastically in front of 700 people as well as put in a huge effort to raise nearly £130,000 is genuinely mind-blowing.”
