Lincolnshire hospice strictly finale is sell out success

12th March 2014

Now in its 4th year the ballroom dance competition makes its triumphant return to Lincoln

On Sunday 23rd March, from 6.30pm, St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice will host their 4th annual Strictly Ballroom finale. Held at the Lincoln Performing Arts Centre, the event has proved to be as popular as its BBC namesake, selling all 444 seats 4 weeks prior to the show finale.

Over the past 10 weeks, 21 couples have been learning two ballroom dances; the Rumba and the Waltz. Contestants will compete on stage in front of a live audience and a judging panel consisting of; Aggi Doughty, winner of Strictly Ballroom in 2011 and 2012 and Karen and Colin Brewer, dance teachers from KCB dance school.

“The event this year has been a run away success from the very beginning” said Becky Otter, Events Fundraiser for St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice. “Contestants eagerly signed up from across the entire county and the tickets have sold faster then we could process them! From sales of tickets and sponsorship we are hoping to raise in excess of £10,000 from this event.”

Anxiously anticipating the shows finale, the contestants all have very individual reasons for signing up to the charity fundraiser.

Amy Tweedale, aged 27, from Lincoln, said: “My brother and I are taking part in memory of our mum who passed away to Ovarian Cancer four years ago. The hospice did an amazing job of caring, not only for my mum, but for the whole family. Competing in this event has made me realise how much I enjoy dancing and I intend to continue after the show.”

Maria Hodgkins, aged 43, from Witham St Hughs, said: “This is a great charity that needs our support! This is our 2nd year taking part in Strictly Ballroom and it was trickier than expected. We thought a Waltz would be easy to learn, we couldn’t have been more wrong!”

Mark Doughty, aged 38, from Lincoln, said: “The reason I’m taking part is to raise money for a fantastic charity and in memory of my Grandad who was cared for by St Barnabas, and to do something a bit different.”

The audience will cast their vote for their favourite pair, and this will then be added to the judge’s scores, before the winners of Strictly Ballroom 2014 can be crowned.

Becky Otter credits the success of Strictly Ballroom to its universal appeal and family friendly focus.

“What I love about Strictly Ballroom is that it appeals to people of all ages, this year we have a 13 year-old boy competing with his Mother and a couple in their sixty’s. The rigorous dance rehearsals have demanded hard work and commitment from the contestants which will ensure an entertaining evening to be enjoyed by the whole family.”

A limited number of tickets may become available before the finale. To join the waiting list for this event, contact fundraising on: 01522 540 300. Adult tickets are priced at £10 and children tickets at £5.

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