“DO YOU LOVE ME, DO YOU LOVE ME,
NOW THAT I CAN DANCE?”
I remember when the initial text message popped in late on a February
Sunday evening. I was at home watching Antiques Roadshow, trying to
guess which really was the most expensive item. Was Fiona Bruce really
as happy as she seemed to be, cold and windblown at one of our great
British stately homes in the pouring summer rain? And do people really
queue that long in case they’ve been housing a long-lost Rembrandt in
grandma’s attic? They do queue for ages, I’d recently learned, when we
had taken my dad to an Antiques Roadshow taping. Fortunately, that
summer’s day had been one of the warmest and most glorious of the year.
We hadn’t cared if our ‘antiques’ were worthless or if there were queues
longer than the door at Atmosphere in the 1980’s. The sun was out, we
had ice cream that we were trying to eat before it melted, and there were
lovely statues in the gardens. We were British, the summer was here, and
we were feeling cultured. Pauline and I set a date for me to meet with her and Wirral Ark’s CEO,
Aydin Djemal. What a cool and understated guy he is, and what a great
set-up they have there! For those of you that aren’t familiar with Wirral
Ark, they offer quality accommodations for individuals experiencing
homelessness, supporting and empowering individuals to achieve
positive outcomes. As a charity, they do receive a level of local authority
funding, but they need additional funds to enable them to reach all those
in need.
“Do you dance?” the next text message read. So yes, it’s true - I will be dusting off my dancing shoes, shedding a few
pounds, and taking part in Wirral Ark’s ‘Simply Come (Dirty) Dancing’
competition later this year to raise vitally-needed funds for their great
cause. Your donations are really appreciated, and if you fancy a giggle,
grab a ticket and we'll see you there.
“Do I, or can I?” I replied.
“Both” came the response.
I paused for a moment before I replied – or at least long enough for me
to hear on the TV if Mrs Jones from Wrexham was about to become
a millionaire as that chamber pot really was priceless. And then I
responded:
“Is this the BBC?” I asked.
It was actually Wirral Life Magazine but that was good enough for me.
The answer was “yes”, and before I could put another Double Chocolate
Hob Nob in my mouth, Pauline Cox from Wirral Ark had texted me to
say she was delighted I was signing up for their ‘Simply Come (Dirty)
Dancing’ fundraiser at the Titanic hotel in November. For a moment, I
glanced at the DVD cover of Saturday Night Fever on the shelf under my
TV, and there I was Tony Manero in my own head – and then reality set
in. I was nudging 50, eating biscuits, on the cusp of learning Mrs Jones’
future wealth, and I’d just volunteered to dance in front of 400 people.
Oh the horror! – and if I’m honest, oh the excitement too! If I ever
needed to get fit in my 50th year, the universe had delivered and this was
my catalyst.
Who was Pauline Cox and what was Wirral Ark all about, I wondered?
Any of you who know me know that I don’t ‘wonder’ for long, so
74 wirrallife.com
Westminster Associates is thrilled to be supporting the fantastic work
of Wirral Ark as our Charity of the Year 2019, helping them to fight
homelessness across Wirral. The core of our own business is about
developing people, so we feel extremely passionately about helping others
in need within our community.
And let’s be honest, who isn’t a fan of Strictly?
So why not join us at the Titanic Hotel on Saturday, 16th November 2019
for a fabulous dinner, before watching us showcase our newly-found
dance skills in a competition where you, the audience, get to choose
their winner. We’ll be paired with a professional dancer and will learn
specially-created choreography during dance lessons every weekend
from September 2019 onwards. The theme for the evening is Dirty
Dancing, with us and our partners performing to music from the hit
film.
Ticketholders will enjoy a welcome drink, followed by a three-course
meal, before enjoying a showcase from the professionals, followed by the
main dance competition and group dance, and ending with a chance to
take to the floor after the winners’ announcement and presentation.
Tickets are £60 per person, or £550 for a table of 10.
Wirral Ark is always looking to partner with local businesses. Please
contact [email protected] to discuss event partner/
sponsor opportunities, or to book your tickets.