Five couples gear up for Dr Kershaw's Strictly 2024 showpiece

Dr Kershaw’s Hospice are putting on a night of a glitz and glamour at a Strictly Come Dancing-themed event entitled ‘Dr Kershaw’s Strictly’, to raise vital funds for patient care.

The theme for this year’s event is ‘A Night at the Movies’, which will see each of the Hospice’s dance couples take to the floor to showcase their dance to a song from a much-loved film.

Audience members will enjoy a welcome drink on arrival, a three course meal, live entertainment including special guest performances, and can take part in a fundraising raffle and auction with amazing prizes up for grabs!

Dr Kershaw’s Strictly will see ten specially selected contestants from the local community compete in front of a panel of judges, as well as a live audience, in the hope of being crowned the Dr Kershaw's Strictly Glitterball Champion, at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in Oldham on Friday, March 15, 2024.

The Hospice have partnered their five couples, who for seven weeks will be working with professional dance schools to learn how to perform a varied range of dance styles including streetdance, ballroom, and Latin.

Dr Kershaw’s has four local dance schools on board - Jayne Barnes School of Dance, The Amy Mackie School of Dance and Drama, Jenna Huszár, and RF Dance - who are giving their time up free of charge to support the Hospice to raise funds.

Lawrence O’Grady, retired Probation Officer, and Shereen Howarth, Managing Director of Cornerstone Estates and Letting, have been selected as dancers and have been partnered up for the event.

Lawrence and Shereen have already kicked off their fundraising for Hospice care.

Lawrence said: “My late wife was cared for by Dr Kershaw’s Hospice and I am so grateful to the Hospice team for the care they provided.

"I signed up for Strictly to help raise funds for Dr Kershaw’s despite having two left feet!”

Sheereen added: “My company was looking for a local charity to support in 2024 and Dr Kershaw’s Hospice has a massive impact on the lives of individuals in Oldham, so I decided to lead the cause myself and take on the challenge of Dr Kershaw’s Strictly.”

Each dancer has now set up their own fundraising page - to support Dr Kershaw’s dancers and the Hospice, just click here for more information.

Rebecca Bentham, Director of Income Development and Marketing at the Hospice, said: “We are thrilled about our upcoming Dr Kershaw’s Strictly event, it’s a great occasion with an incredible atmosphere.

"We have a fantastic group of contestants and I’m excited to see them perform.

"They each have their own story as to why they want to support the Hospice and have already kick-started their fundraising.

"I am eager to see them start to train and develop their dance skills for the big night, where they will take to the dance floor to compete for our coveted glitterball trophy.

"We hope as many people as possible from the local community can come along to the event and support our dancers as well as patient care at our Hospice.”

Hosted by Oldham Pantomime legend, Jeff Longmore, with a special panel of judges, along with surprise performances, a raffle, an auction, and an array of other entertainment taking place, the evening promises to be a night to remember.

Tickets are now available for Dr Kershaw’s Strictly, priced at £45 each, including a welcome drink and three-course meal (formal attire).

If you would like to join the Hospice for an evening of entertainment, to raise vital funds for Dr Kershaw's, you can buy your tickets by clicking the link here

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