Strictly-style event raises £90k for Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice

[dutchman]

A whopping £90,000 was raised for Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice from its second annual Strictly Christmas challenge



Zoë’s Place is the only baby-specific hospice in the Midlands which provides 24-hour palliative and respite care for babies from 0 to 5 years of age with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions.

The 23 novice dancers were given the challenge of learning a Ballroom and Latin dances in just eight weeks. They were partnered up with skilled dancers who put them through their paces.

Jane McGaffney Community Fundraiser at the Hospice said “We knew we were going to have to raise the bar from Strictly Christmas 2017 which raised £64000, but to have beaten it by £26,000 is unbelievable.

"Being part of the core committee along with eight others was challenging in parts, but nothing compared to the effort, sweat, and amazing fundraising the dancers and contestants put themselves through.

"This £90,000 raised will pay three nurses' salaries for a year and will also cover our entire annual budget for delivering music therapy for the babies who we look after.

"This is an unprecedented amount raised for a Strictly-style event and we are extremely grateful to everyone who took part, sponsored the event and gave either their time or supplied us with equipment.

"Also thank you to the Royal Court, Tamworth Road for supporting us. The two nights the event took place in December raised £16,000 in votes alone! So a huge thank you to all the families and friends who came along and supported the ‘cast’”.