Strictly Inverness 2024 diary: Feel-good factor is addictive

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When I started my fundraising mission, I thought it would be tough. I was right, but I’m so grateful to anyone who has put their hand in their pocket and made a donation.

Strictly Inverness is the area's answer to the mega-popular BBC dance contest but the main difference is that people involved are volunteering their time, energy and efforts towards generating cash for organisers and hosts Highland Hospice and Inverness Ice Centre.

• Click here if you would like to make a general donation

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I'm just one of the 32 dancers who will each raise a minimum of £1000 ahead of showtime next month.

Our fundraising activities have come in many forms – and there are still a variety to go – and totals for the 16 dance partnerships will be worth points in the contest's semi-finals. That means every penny counts.

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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again because I’ve been blown away by the support of my corporate sponsor Highland News & Media. Not only did people in the business back me from the beginning, but they went above and beyond with three separate periods where a special code offered a half-price deal for a digital package, which in total means £1825 for charity. That is a huge sum which has pushed my fundraising to more than £9200 so far.

I couldn’t be more thankful to all who have contributed in any way towards this.

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There are further ways to support this fundraising campaign. I have a body waxing challenge at The Therapy Suite on April 20. That beauty salon, along with Bikes of Inverness, the Forge Gym in Inverness and MKM Building Supplies in Aviemore are also displaying posters for the Strictly Raffle and selling tickets (£1 each) on my behalf to anyone interested.

And there’s also the hospice spring auction. I was blessed to receive a donation of a two-night stay at a five-bedroom mini manor at Achnagairn Estate, which sleeps 10 people. Please have a look at lot #38 and leave a bid if you wish. There are plenty more lots connected with fellow dancers so it’s worth a wee browse while you’re there.

My dance partner Ruth Mason is among those with items up for auction, and rounds off her fundraising events this weekend with a double-header. Tonight, she is hosting a race night at the Westerlea Hotel in Nairn and tomorrow she has organised a ceilidh at Hootananny in Inverness. We’d love to see as many of you as possible.

Staging events isn’t easy. Prior to this, I might have been guilty of thinking it was. With new perspective comes respect for all who do this more frequently, as well as anyone who has tried, which is why I’ve aimed to support as many of my fellow dancers as I could by either flagging up their events on here and/or on social media and/or being there in person.

Last week, my family went along to Kenna Ross’s talent show for local youngsters in Balloch, we also went to Shaun Rose’s ice skating disco at the ice centre and last night my wife and I, plus a couple of pals, were at Robert Ince’s curry and quiz night in Dingwall. Being able to give something back brings a feel-good factor that is addictive.

It has been so uplifting to receive similar encouragement and support, which I'm sure other dancers would echo and as a group, with the last few weeks of fundraising remaining, we’ve collectively raised more than £144,700 - which is incredible.

All the fundraising activities coming up that I'm aware of are here:

• For Ruth Mason: Hoolie for the Hospice Ceilidh, April 7, Hootananny, Inverness

• For Lesley Clark: Rock N Reel fundraiser, April 12, Beaufort Hotel, Inverness

• For Jacqui Crawford: Disco, April 12, Fairways, Inverness

• For Sean MacIver: ‘80s quiz and karaoke night, April 12, 1820, Portree

• For Kaitlyn Heggie and Emma MacDonald: Dinner dance, April 13, Nairn Community & Arts Centre

• For Sonny Rhind: Cammie's Connections, April 13, The Field, Alness

• For Louise Mainland: Family fundraising ceilidh, April 13, Kincraig Village Hall

• For Shaun Rose and Kenna Ross: Prize bingo, April 14, Café V8, Inverness

• For Neil Pirritt: Rock ‘n’ roll bingo, April 19, Chieftain Hotel, Inverness

• For Andy Dixon: Body waxing challenge, April 20, The Therapy Suite, Inverness

• For Ailsa Campbell: Domino tournament, April 20, Conon Hotel, Dingwall

• For Jason Kelman and Shireen Fyffe + Sean MacIver and Niamh Mcauley: Dirty Dancing dance workshop, April 20, Inverness Town House

• For Lesley Clark: Burlesque spring fling, April 20, Upstairs, Inverness

• For Clare MacDonald: 'His' & 'Hers' evening delight, April 20, Kirkhill Community Centre

• For Robert Ince: Community Mini Market, April 20, Tesco car park, Dingwall

• For Jackie Sutherland: Row, ride and roar, April 20, Bannatyne Health Club and Spa, Inverness

• For Craig Watson: Quiz, April 27, Farr Hall, Inverarnie

• For Robert Ince: Tipsy tea party, April 27, Dingwall Legion Hall

• For Stefan Robertson: Big finale fundraiser race night, April 27, Beaufort Hotel, Inverness

I'll aim to update the events list each week.

Click here if you would like to make a donation.

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