Hull-based colleague Matt Brown is putting his best foot forward as part of a Strictly Come Dancing-style event in aid of the charity Dove House Hospice.
The digital and product content co-ordinator is one of 24 novice dancers who have been paired up with and taught to dance by a mix of previous contestants, who have been dancing and competing as amateurs, and a couple of dance teachers who have a ballroom dance school.
Having got involved as a result of his daughter attending dance school, Matt (pictured top, right) has been partnered with Steph, who lost a friend late last year and is doing it in their memory.
He said: “I knew about Dove House Hospice and the great work they do as well as it being a fun challenge to take on while raising money for a great cause.
“Steph has been amazing to be partnered with. We practice whenever we can around our busy lives, which is usually at least three times a week.
“It’s amazing to think how far we have come from the first week, when we could barely walk three steps together without standing on each other’s toes or falling over, to where we are now with three weeks to go before show night.”
Matt added: “I have always been aware of Dove House as a local charity and the amazing work it does. I know people within my circle of friends and family who have had need of their services and it is such an amazing thing that they do.
“It was easy to say yes to get involved anyway but having recently lost my mother-in-law who had suffered with cancer for five years it made me all the more aware of how they help families at that stage of their lives.”
Known as the Dove House Hospice Strictly Learn To Dance Challenge 2023, it is being put together in 12 weeks to culminate in a dance show at Hull City Hall on March 31.
The event will see Matt and the other contestants performing one ballroom and one Latin dance each, as well as two group dances.
Matt said: “I have always been nervous about the show itself and that has always been in the back of my mind throughout training.
“It feels really strange as my daughter dances and performs all the time in shows and festivals and I’m always telling her not to be nervous and just go for it and here I am being nervous about the show night.
“I have had so much great support from family, friends and colleagues that has got me to this point and I couldn’t have got here without them.
"I know everyone is going to give it 100% on show night and I hope it’ll be a night to remember.
To donate to Matt’s fundraising, please visit his JustGiving page.