Warming up in style ahead of Strictly Kershaw's!

Michelle Dickens, one of this year’s Strictly Kershaw’s dancers, celebrated her 50th birthday with the pupils of Alt Academy.

With an ‘All Things Bling’ non-uniform day and salsa lessons with Mrs Dickens, the children were excited to celebrate with their head teacher.

Pupils started the day with a special Kershaw’s assembly where community fundraiser, Lillie Winterbottom, spoke to the children about Dr Kershaw’s, and they met Hope the Hospice mascot.

Mrs Dickens performed her Salsa with dance partner, Marco, and her solo rumba, both of which she will perform on the night at Strictly Kershaw’s.

She even taught some of the children a few steps with Hope.

Michelle’s mum, Sylvia, passed away at the Hospice in February, 2016.

Mrs Dickens said: “The nurses and doctors were fantastic with her and with us. It made a horrible time more comfortable.

"They are angels and Dr Kershaw’s is such a wonderful place.”

If you are planning to come to this year’s Strictly Kershaw’s dance spectacular you did better get a quick step on.

We are cha-cha charging £40 a ticket for a fun-filled evening that includes an evening meal and the chance to see our six couples compete for the Kershaw’s glitterball trophy.

It’s the fourth year of our dancing fundraiser – first performed in 2015 – and this year’s show will take place at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oldham, this Friday, November 2.

Experienced dancers from the Shaw-based Madd for Dance will be the mentors to the competitors under the watchful eyes of owners Sean Madden and his wife Carol.

And putting themselves in the spotlight for 2018 are: Michelle Dickens (Head Teacher), Claire Egerton (O’Donnell Solicitors), PC Damieon Hartley-Pickles (local policeman), Mick Sheehan (Home Instead), Joe Warburton (Heyside Cricket Club chairman), Kwok Wong (Ree Ming Chinese owner).

Previous winners of the Kershaw’s glitterball  are: 2015: Jenny McDermott (owner of The Edge Hair Salon in Lees and wife of former international rugby league player Barrie McDermott); 2016: Paul Firth (Kershaw’s Crooners choirmaster); 2017: Andy Donnelly (Operations Controller at Spectrum Brands).

Previous competitors have included Oldham RL chairman Chris Hamilton, then leader of the Council Councillor Jean Stretton and former Editor of the Oldham Chronicle David Whaley, now the Hospice’s Income Generation and Communications Manager.

This year’s show - supported by Home Instead - will be hosted by Dave Thompson, who was a judge at last year’s event.

Judges this time around include actress Sue Devaney, dancer Lee Marsh, and Saddleworth School dance teacher Cath Wolfenden.

As well as the six pairs, who each dance twice, there will be a ballroom dance demonstration and a performance by local group Fierce Dance.

For tickets contact the Hospice fundraising team on 0161 624 9984 or go to the Hospice website at: www.drkh.org.uk/events

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