Strictly glitter ball event raises over £5,800 for Big C
It was time for Big C to get the sequins out and the glitter ball ready on Saturday evening as a glamorous evening of ballroom and latin dancing was held at Hellesdon Community Centre on Saturday 2 March, raising funds for the local cancer charity.
Working with a talented team of dancers from Miller Dance Studios, Big C staff, volunteers and service users teamed up to learn a variety of routines, for a performance on the night.
The ‘Strictly Big C’ fundraiser was the brainchild of Lynn Miller from Miller Dance Studios. Lynn said “We wanted to use our love of dancing to support Big C. We’re so proud of all the couples that took part and are thrilled that the event raised lots of money and awareness for this important local charity.”
11 dances took place in total in front of a live audience and a panel of judges, before the top three couples were announced and the winner decided.
Jo Pendergast, who volunteers at Big C’s Timberhill shop, won the competition with her foxtrot routine and took home the first Strictly Big C trophy.
Jo said “It has been an absolute joy to be involved in Strictly Big C 2024. From learning the routines with my two dancers Paul and Becca and sharing the experience with the other participants on the night, it’s all just been amazing.
“I had a complete mix of nerves (this was way out of my comfort zone) and excitement on the evening. The event surpassed all my expectations – the room was full of happiness and brimming with love, I could not stop smiling the whole way through.
“Having my wonderful family and friends there to watch was very special and people have been so generous with their donations.
“Big C has been such an important part of my life for the last few years, so winning was the absolute icing on the cake. I’m so pleased we’ve raised so much money to support such a wonderful charity!”
Big C was delighted to have a huge amount of support from local businesses and organisations. Goldsmith’s Weddings & Events decorated the venue beautifully and kindly supplied a photo booth for people to enjoy and take home a souvenir from the evening.
Volunteers from Norwich & District Photographic Society (NDPS) took photos and videos throughout the evening and Norwich City College students offered their time to come and help get the dancers ready for the event with hair and makeup.
Bee Lawrence a L3 make-up artistry student said “We would love to thank Big C for this opportunity. Everyone was so lovely, and the dancing was fantastic! We all truly enjoyed this experience, doing the hair and makeup for some of the dancers. It was wonderful to be a part of such a lovely team even for just a couple of hours.
“All the makeup team were delighted to be of service for such an important cause. Cancer is a heart-breaking disease, and to turn it into a dance event to raise money and celebrate the wonder that life is, was a beautiful thing to experience.”
Local businesses and supporters also gave a wide variety of auction and raffle prizes including the Strictly Theatre Company, Kettle Chips, IC Travel, The Strand Hair & Beauty Salon, Booja–Booja, The Wallow Wine Bar and Miller Dance.
Kat Jarvis, fundraising & events coordinator at Big C said “We are so proud of each and every one of our Big C participants who took to the dance floor. They all worked so hard with their partners, and we’re absolutely thrilled with the amount raised from ticket sales, an auction and raffle as well as donations of support to the JustGiving page.
A huge thank you to everyone that helped make this event such a huge success and we can’t wait to start planning for Strictly Big C 2025!”
If you would like to support the Strictly Big C couples and make a donation, please visit the Just Giving page.
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