Strictly St. Joseph’s dancers prepare for the LIVE show

Eight supporters of St. Joseph’s Hospice in Thornton have spent the summer learning their steps and perfecting their performances ready to perform live at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool later this month.

Student and business owner, Abby Ready (18); regional manager, Amanda Fraser (44); hospice lottery administrator, Cathy Cusack (57); theatre school owner, Claire Grindley (45); Merseyside Fire Service’s Ellie Williams (24); architect, Jason Maher (52); hospice van driver John Cooney (70); and journalist, Liam Marshall (26), will go head to head to compete for the title of Strictly St. Joseph’s champions 2021.

The Strictly fundraising event will be the first indoors event hosted by the hospice since the Covid pandemic began and the team hopes it will help to raise much-needed income following 18 months when its fundraising activities came to an abrupt halt.

The hospice is collaborating with the Marshside School of Dance in Southport for the event, who are providing professional dance partners and training sessions for the competition.

Strictly St. Joseph’s will take place on Saturday 25th September at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool and tickets include a four-course meal and entertainment, including the Live Strictly dance show, singer Scott Chapman and also a disco.

All eight dancers are hoping to help the hospice to raise thousands of pounds for the Thornton-based charity through their own sponsorship, and local businesses, including Delivery Network Experts Ltd and LeisureTechUK, are sponsoring the event.

Maxine Armstrong, head of fundraising and lottery at St. Joseph’s Hospice, said: “Our eight dancers have been working so hard all summer to prepare for the big night and we are really looking forward to seeing their performances, which will include a special group number.

“We have all waited so long to be able to do this and we still have some tickets available for the evening so don’t miss out. You can just book a couple of tickets or book a table and bring your friends and family for a long overdue night out.

“We also have a few sponsorship opportunities left so we’d love to hear from local businesses who would like to show their support for the hospice and benefit from the exposure it will bring through our fantastic sponsorship package.

“It is going to be a fabulous evening so please come and join us and help us to raise lots of money which will fund compassionate end of life nursing care for people in our community as well as support for their families at a very tough time.”

More details about our Strictly St. Joseph’s dancers, and how you can sponsor them, are available on our website www.stjhospice.org.uk.

Tickets for Strictly St. Joseph’s cost £50 each and can purchased from the hospice by calling 0151 932 6044 or 0151 932 6046 or emailing events@stjhospice.org.uk.