A charity Strictly Come Dancing-style event has raised £47,000 to support terminally and seriously ill children from Chester.

Held last month at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool, Claire House Does Strictly saw amateur dancers from Chester-based companies compete with their professional partners in aid of Claire House Children’s Hospice, which provides care to children who aren’t expected to live to be adults, as well as support for their families.

The competition was judged by three-times Dancing On Ice champion, Dan Whiston. Dan stepped in for former dancing partner Beth Tweddle, who judged last year’s event.

Related Story:Tea House stirs up funds

Dan said: “I was more than happy to come to the aid of Beth when she asked me to replace her as a judge for Claire House Does Strictly after getting injured on The Jump. Beth and I have been great friends since dancing together on Dancing On Ice and it was great fun judging rather than being judged.”

Judges Dancing on Ice star Dan Whiston, Yvonne Dunn and Claire Smith as Claire House Hospice do Strictly Come Dancing
Judges Dancing on Ice star Dan Whiston, Yvonne Dunn and Claire Smith as Claire House Hospice do Strictly Come Dancing

Participants in the event included representatives from Lumisi, Auction House, Humphreys Estate Agents, Strutt and Parker Estate Agents as well businesses DFW LLP, Blue Arrow, Gilford Try Construction, Wirral PT and Claire House parent, John Griffiths.

The dancers and their partners had just three months to master their routines before taking to the floor in front of Daniel and over 300 spectators.

Event organiser Angella Rawsthorne said: “Over the past two years, Claire House Does Strictly has raised over £100,000 to offer care and support to terminally ill children from Chester and beyond. Our supporters work tirelessly in training and on that dancefloor to bring smiles to the children’s faces and help them be able to create wonderful memories that will last a life time.

“Thank you to everyone involved in this year’s event, helping it to be such a success. I just hope the participants all decide to keeeeep dancing!”