'Strictly' night raises £45k for 'Stick'n'Step charity

Eight volunteers, each partnered with a professional dancer, put on their dancing shoes and strutted their stuff on the dancefloor for the event at Thornton Hall Hotel in aid of Stick'n'Step.

The amateur contestants raised more than £10,000 sponsorship.

Those taking part had dance classes over the previous weeks to perfect their routine and the results were described as 'truly incredible'.

Among those who took part in 'Strictly Come Dancing'-themed contest that raised more than £45,000 for Stick'n'Step, a charity helping Wirral children with cerebral palsy (Image: Zebra Marketing and Communications) A dance was performed by some of the young people with cerebral palsy who attend Stick ‘n’ Step’s centres in Runcorn and Wallasey. This was followed by the main dance competition in front of an enthusiastic audience and the critical eyes of a panel of four judges.

Vikki Howden, a paralegal who works at Graystons, and her professional partner Mario, wowed the judges and audience alike with their beautiful waltz to Disney favourite Can you feel the love tonight from The Lion King.

The judges at 'Strictly Come Dancing'-themed contest that raised more than £45,000 for Stick'n'Step, a charity helping Wirral children with cerebral palsy (Image: Zebra Marketing and Communications)

Despite not having danced since childhood, Vicky’s style and grace secured her the top spot on the leader board and she was awarded the glitter ball trophy at the end of the night.

Left to right: Winner Vikki Howden, contestant Amanda Griffiths  and Stick ‘n’ Step community engagement ambassador Kate Duffy (Image: Zebra Marketing and Communications)

The People’s Choice Award went to Shannon Sample, a classroom assistant at Stick 'n' Step, who danced a fabulously dramatic paso doble to Backstage Romance from Moulin Rouge with her professional partner Joel.

An auction and a raffle rounded off the evening, emceed by host Billy Hui, who has supported Stick ‘n’ Step for many years.

Left to right: Host and Deputy Lord Lieutenant Billy Hui, judge Felicia Kehli (Miss Liverpool), judge Kerry Williams, Kerry Berrisford (Billy’s partner), Corporate Fundraiser at Stick ‘n’ Step Jo Fowler and Stick ‘n’ Step supporter Jan Foley of Hallmark Jewellers Heswall. (Image: Zebra Marketing and Communications) Currently serving as the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, he is the founder and musical director of the multi-award winning SingMe Merseyside Choir and can be heard on his weekly shows on BBC Radio Merseyside.

Joanne Fowler, corporate fundraiser at Stick 'n' Step, said: "Everything we do at Stick ‘n’ Step is designed to help children and young people, who are living with cerebral palsy, to become more mobile, more confident, and more independent - ultimately helping them to reach their personal potential and to go on to live a more independent life.

"All this work takes time and many of the children we work with will attend Stick 'n' Step sessions for many years.

"Without the efforts and generosity of our supporters, we simply couldn't do what we do.

"We are so grateful to everyone for their support.”

Stick 'n' Step provides free weekly conductive education sessions to children and young people with cerebral palsy up to the age of 25.

The charity relies on supporters and volunteers to help raise the £750,000 required to deliver its services to over 100 families each year at its Wallasey and Runcorn centres. Find out more about the charity by visiting www.sticknstep.org.