BURY Hospice is looking for contestants to put on their dancing shoes and join the glitz and glamour of the ballroom in a Strictly-style contest for the charity’s biggest fundraiser of the year.

Each year the event sees contestants take to the stage to showcase their skills in front of a panel of judges, including Coronation Street star and Bury Hospice patron, Sally Carman, in a bid to be crowned the champion.

Rachel Wallace, head of marketing, fundraising and communications, said: “We are looking for people from across Bury to enter our Strictly Best Foot Forward fundraiser – you don’t have to be a dancer. Most people that enter have never danced before.

“We are delighted that Sally is getting involved again this year – she is a fantastic supporter of Bury Hospice and brought sparkle to our Strictly event in December 2019.”

Katy Greer and Luis McBriar lifted the glitterball trophy and were crowned the winners for Strictly Best Foot Forward 2019.

Participants are asked to commit to raising £500 for Bury Hospice. They will undergo 12 weeks of lessons, which will take place on a Sunday afternoon at LARK dance studio in Radcliffe, with dancers from LARK and A Touch of Class dance studios, who give their time for free, starting in the autumn.

The grand finale will be held on Saturday, November 27 2021.

The competition is led by hospice trustee and fundraiser, Deborah Lisle. Each year the glamorous competition helps to raise thousands of pounds to provide vital end of life care to patients and their families.

Deborah said: “Strictly Best Foot Forward for Bury Hospice brings together a group of people who wish to support the hospice by learning to dance. At the end of 12 lessons, we come together with their families and friends to watch our Grand Finale competition, which raises funds for the hospice. The fun, laughter and friendship this event creates every year can only be described as extremely special.

“Strictly is now our flagship event and has raised in excess of £150k over three years. This year we hope to be bigger and better to celebrate 30 years of Bury Hospice.”

If you are interested in learning to dance while raising money for charity email fundraising@buryhospice.org.uk or call 0161 797 1748.