Eleven local business leaders are set to set to the dance floor to raise funds for Dougie Mac in a glittering Strictly style competition.
Strictly Knot Dancing will take place on Friday, October 3, at the King’s Hall in Stoke. Organised by Knot Events, the event aims to raise more than £50,000 for Dougie Mac.
Each contestant will train to perform a ballroom or Latin dance routine in front of a live audience, trained by current World Open Rising Star Ballroom champions Oliver Hand and Anastasiia Lysytsyna of The Sanctuary Dance Studio in Stone.
The contestants, who are now beginning months of training with their dance partners, are: Karen Staley of Geens Accountants, Jane Shepherd of Shepherd PR, Kate Beardmore of Port Vale, Sarah Mellor of Beswicks Solicitors, Hannah Ault of Valentine Clays, Andrea Heath of DJH, Nadine Baddeley of Greenhouse People, Gareth Higgins of KMF, Pete Davenport of SG Fleet, Nathan Walton of Insurance Connections and Matt Fletcher of Fletcher Moorland.
Sarah Mellor, one of the contestants and a director of Knot Events, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to see this idea come to life. Strictly Knot Dancing has been a dream of mine for some time – in fact, it’s been eight years in the making – and to finally see the contestants meeting their dancers, feeling the excitement and energy, is just incredible. It’s going to be a spectacular event – full of sparkle, dedication and, most importantly, community support for an amazing cause.”
All funds raised will go to Dougie Mac, which provides specialist palliative and end-of-life care to more than 3,500 people each year in Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire. The hospice relies on public donations to cover over 75 per cent of its annual £23 million operating costs.
David Webster, chief executive of Dougie Mac, said: “We’re so grateful to be the chosen charity for Strictly Knot Dancing. It’s such a fun and creative way to bring people together, all while supporting an essential cause.
“The funds raised will go directly towards helping us deliver outstanding care at the hospice — from nursing and medical support to counselling and family services. We’re really looking forward to what promises to be an unforgettable evening.”
Each contestant will perform one dance routine on the night, with scores from judges and votes from the audience contributing to the final results. Attendees can support dancers through live voting and donations.
Tickets are available for full tables, which include a three-course meal, and balcony seating for spectators. Sponsorship packages for the event, which is part of Stoke-on-Trent’s centenary celebrations, start at £750 plus VAT. To book tickets or find out more, contact Knot Events at info@knot-events.co.uk
