Claire House Children’s Hospice held its annual Strictly competition on Saturday at The Rum Warehouse, Liverpool, raising over £35,000.
The 2019 Glitterball trophy was won by Emma Vernon from Wallasey, who danced the waltz with professional dance partner Callam Thomson.
This was the fifth year of Claire House does Strictly, where amateurs learn a dance routine in eight weeks with professional dance centre Cadmans and perform on the night at the Titanic Hotel in front of an audience of 300.
As well as learning a dance, each amateur fundraises for Claire House and over £200,000 has been raised in the last five years for the children’s hospice.
Strictly winner Emma said: “I chose to take part this year to support the incredible work of Claire House. As a mum of two, it is heart-breaking to even try to imagine what these families go through. I’m proud that I have been able to fundraise and support them.
“I always thought that the waltz was the boring dance to watch but I quickly realised how technical it is and how much work is needed to make it look good. My dance teacher Callam was great and clearly worked miracles.”
Emma works at local company B&M Waste and follows in the footsteps of Director David Curtis who took part in 2018, also dancing the waltz.
Emma continued: “The support of my family, friends and work colleagues has been amazing and the board at B&M Waste have been so supportive. I was so shocked to win on the night and all my guests couldn’t wait to rush the dancefloor and celebrate with me!”
This year, nine fearless fundraisers took to the dancefloor, performing routines from the tango to the samba and Claire House are now on the lookout for contestants for 2020.
Event Manager Rachel Handley said: “Claire House does Strictly is such a great event – incredible people have the opportunity to do something unique for their local children’s hospice, and so much money is raised for the children and young adults that Claire House supports.
“Over the last six years, the amount of families that we care for has almost doubled so we desperately need the support of the local community and what better to get involved than learning a dance and performing at the Titanic Hotel!”
Rachel continued: “Emma was a very worthy winner; she received the first 10 of the evening from our judges and her waltz was simply beautiful. It’s lovely that someone from B&M Waste won too, as the company have been unbelievable supporters of Claire House for a long time.”
To take part in Claire House does Strictly 2020, please contact the Claire House Events Team on events@clairehouse.org.uk or 0151 343 0883.
