A charity dance night featuring 12 contestants from Staffordshire’s business community has smashed its fundraising record, becoming the biggest single fundraising event in the history of Dougie Mac.
Strictly Knot Dancing returned to The King’s Hall on Friday night, where a 600-strong crowd helped raise more than £200,000 for the Stoke-on-Trent hospice.
That figure could continue to rise once organisers confirm the final amount, which has already surpassed the £145,000 raised at last year’s inaugural event.
Shanie Chaudry-Goodall of M Investment Group won the glitterball trophy with professional partner Cameron Robinson, following their performance to ‘Feeling Good’. Stuart Heath of Red Earth Farm and Claire Garner of JCB also finished in the top three.
Shanie said: “I’m still taking it all in. Hearing my name called and lifting the glitterball was a moment I’ll never forget. I’m so grateful to everyone who cheered me on, voted and donated.
“We all put so much into our dances, and I’m incredibly proud that together we’ve helped raise more than £200,000 for Dougie Mac.”
For the first time, viewers could also watch the show and vote from home, while a Dougie Mac tombola gave guests another opportunity to donate on the night.
The full line up included: Stuart Elford (Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce), Shanie Chaudry-Goodall (M Investment Group), Jenny Johnston (KMF Group), Claire Garner (JCB), Karen McKenzie (Dougie Mac), Julie Mirowski (Rydale Roofing), Claire Chidlow (HTC Solutions Ltd), Matt Holdcroft (Holdcroft Heating), Gabriel Daniels (The Hair House), Matt Hustwit (DJH), Stuart Heath (Red Earth Farm) and Mark Inskip (RBC Brewin Dolphin).
Organiser Sarah Mellor said: “We’re still finalising the total, but we already know Friday night raised more than £200,000 for Dougie Mac.
“After raising £145,000 last year, we knew how much it would take to go even further. Our contestants gave up months of their time to rehearse and fundraise, and our dance professionals, volunteers, sponsors and everyone who donated made this possible. I’m so grateful to every one of them.
“The money they’ve raised will help Dougie Mac continue caring for local people and their families when they need it most.”
Among the contestants was Stuart Elford, Chief Executive of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce.
Stuart said: “Dancing in front of 650 people in the Kings Hall and countless people online was one of the most terrifying things I have ever done, and it was a huge relief when the dance was over.
“I made some mistakes but managed to score reasonably well and didn’t let myself down too badly! I also made friends for life of my fellow dancers, who are an amazing group of people.
“The rightful winner of the Glitter Ball Trophy on the night was Shanie Chaudry-Goodall, but the real winner was Dougie Mac as we raised more than £200,000 for the Hospice, which made it all worthwhile.
“I am very grateful to all of you who donated to my Just Giving page and supported me on my journey – thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
The show was hosted by Martin Tideswell and Josie Morris. The judging panel included Strictly Come Dancing champions Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova, Dougie Mac chief executive David Webster, and head judge Ollie Hand of The Sanctuary Dance School, which supplied the professional dancers and supported contestants through their training.
Donations can still be made through the official Strictly Knot Dancing 2026 JustGiving campaign.
