WIRRAL ARK STRICTLY DANCING
Birkenhead homeless charity Wirral Ark’s first
Strictly style fundraising event at the Rum
Warehouse in Liverpool was a fantastic success,
raising over £44,000 and still counting.
Contestants from the Merseyside business
community took on the challenge of learning to
dance in a ballroom or Latin style, culminating in
a performance in front hundreds of spectators who
then voted for their favourite performance. Each
contestant raised sponsorship, attended lessons with
dance professionals and rallied support for on the
night.
The theme of the evening was Dirty Dancing, with
each dance performed to a track from the movie.
Hosts Jay Hynd, from The Guide Liverpool, and
Gemma Cutting from Juice, Radio City and Capital
breakfast, introduced professional dancers Anton
and Jane Tiplov, who opened the show dancing to a
mash up of “Time of My Life,” recreating the iconic
lift, with The Hammond School students coming in at
the Black Eyed Peas version of the song.
Ten contestants performed difference dance styles,
receiving scores from the panel of judges which
included former Strictly pro Kristina Rihanoff, and
Strictly assistant choreographer and Dancing with
the Stars Turkey pro dancer, James Wilson, who also
choreographed the opening and closing numbers.
Winners Andrew Parsons and pro Lyndsey Andrews
received a clean sweep of 10s from the four judges to
take home the glitterball trophy. Audience winner on
the night was NEO Community founder Ema Wilkes,
who received the most audience votes.
Pauline Cox, fundraiser at Wirral Ark and organiser
of the event, explained “I’ve been overwhelmed
by the enthusiasm of our contestants, pros and
group dancers for this event. It’s hugely outside
of the comfort zone for the majority of people and
fundraising isn’t easy, especially while juggling work
and home lives and attending dance lessons, so for
them to give up their time in this way is fantastic and
very much appreciated.”
The event has raised over £43,000 so far with more
sponsorship yet to be collected. If your company
would be interested in supporting Wirral Ark, please
contact Pauline on [email protected].
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