Weston Hospicecare’s glitziest and most glamorous fundraiser, Strictly Fun Dancing, is back for 2025!
This year, six couples will be taking the floor at the Winter Gardens Pavillion on Saturday 29 March for the Grand Finale of Strictly Fun Dancing 2025, sponsored by Gilda.
Following just 10 weeks of rehearsals with our amazing teachers from Salsa Vida, our amateur dance couples will take to the Winter Gardens ballroom dance floor, dancing both the Cha Cha and American Smooth Foxtrot in a bid to be crowned champion!
Meet the Dancers:
Shezmin and Kevin
Shezmin lost her husband to cancer 6 years ago and is so grateful to the hospice for caring for him and supporting her three children. Shezmin’s passion outside her day job as Finance/IT manager is working with patients in palliative care, volunteering locally by visiting patients in end-of-life care in their homes. “I find it so rewarding chatting to patients, and getting to know their life experiences. I come away learning so much and feeling full knowing I’ve made a small difference. Together with my dance partner Kevin we are taking part in the Strictly event in memory of my husband and as a way of giving back to the hospice. Ballroom dancing however has been a real challenge for us!”
Find Shezmin and Kevin’s Just Giving page here.
Abi and Dave
Dave and Abi are a dad and daughter duo with a deep connection to Weston Hospicecare. Dave previously worked for the charity, and Abi is currently the Legacy Fundraiser. In 2021, they completed an abseil for the hospice, and now they’re taking on the challenge of ballroom dancing in memory of their Nan/Great Nan, Elizabeth Jones, who received end-of-life care at the hospice in 2004. Despite Dave’s two knee replacements and both having no ballroom experience, they’re determined to give it their all and leave it all out on the dance floor!
Find Abi and Dave’s Just Giving page here.
Summer and Simon
“Summer and I are delighted to have been chosen as one of the couples for Strictly Fun Dancing We are both Nursing Home managers in Weston-super-Mare, and met just over 2 years ago. With Summer’s 2 left feet and my ability to transform any dance floor into a comedy routine, everyone at the finale will be entertained! We have found the learning process enjoyable and challenging. We look forward to the big night knowing all monies raised goes to such an amazing charity.”
Find Summer and Simon’s Just Giving page here.
Jo and Baz
“We are proud to be selected as one of the couples to dance in ‘Strictly Fun Dancing’.
“We met in Weston Super Mare three years ago and are both ex sports competitors and I danced as child, we love watching’ Strictly Come Dancing’ together! To be given this chance to dance together and raise funds for a local charity is a dream come true! We are engaged and our wedding is booked this year in Spain, we hope this will be a help towards our first dance together! We are both very nervous but excited to perform to the public and be part of such an amazing event for Weston Hospicecare”
Find Jo and Baz’s Just Giving page here.
Katherine and Ciaran
“We’re Kat and Ciaran and we’re the former Mayor and Mayoress of Weston-super-Mare. During our term we regularly witnessed the incredible support provided by everyone at the hospice to patients and their families.
“We were struck by how the hospice made patients’ final wishes come true – we even took part in a parade of bikes across Weston for a patient’s final wish – and we’re taking part in Strictly as a way to say thank you to everyone at the hospice, and raise much needed donations.”
Find Katherine and Ciaran’s Just Giving page here.
Lisa and Archie
You might recognise Lisa and Archie as two friendly faces usually seen behind the bar at The Bear Inn in Weston-super-Mare.
“The Bear Inn is a regular supporter of Weston Hospicecare, so when this opportunity came up, one of us managed to twist the others’ arm to say yes to taking part. Archie is no stranger to fundraising having already taken on a skydive for the hospice, but is unsure whether jumping from a plane or learning to dance is actually more daunting! We know that the hospice is so crucial to the Weston community so we are really proud to be taking part.”
Find Lisa and Archie’s Just Giving page here.