The founder of Formby cancer charity is to take part in ballroom dancing fundraiser

The founder of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, Roy Donnelly from Formby is taking part in a ballroom dancing competition to raise money for his charity for cancer.

Ray Donnelly, who was awarded an MBE in 2009 for his services to charity, is taking part in the Strictly Ballroom event in Southport on Saturday, November 26.

Roy is a retired surgeon, who is now in his seventies will be performing the Waltz in the competition which is sure to be a big hit with the fans of BBC show Strictly Come Dancing. Ray is taking part to raise money for the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.

The event will be judged by the X Factor's Christopher Malone and Gogglebox stars Leon and June.

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Ray said: "I have embarked on 10 hours of ballroom dancing training with a professional ballroom dancer that will culminate in a live performance on Saturday 26th November.

"I will perform my routine in front of an audience of over 200 people and four Judges under the chandeliers of Southport Theatre and Convention Centre.

"I will be competing against nine other dancers in a bid to be crowned Strictly Ballroom champion 2017

"It's 26 years since I founded this charity and, in all this time, this is the scariest thing I have done and that is really saying something! I can't believe I was persuaded to do this but intend to make the very best of it even if I fall flat on my face.

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"Lung cancer is the biggest cancer killer in both men and women and the Roy Castle Foundation is the only UK charity wholly dedicated to beating it through research, patient support and smoking cessation.

"We don't want our children and grandchildren to grow up facing the same horrendous statistics as we face today."

you can but tickets now at £50 the tickets will include a three course meal, the show will take place in southport Theatre and convention center.

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