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Learn to Waltz and Cha-Cha-Cha like Matthew Cutler!

 

26th July 2010

 

 

Matthew Cutler, the famous Latin American dance champion who has led celebrities such as Alesha Dixon to victory in BBC’s hit series Strictly Come Dancing, is supporting the Berkhamsted based Hospice of St Francis in launching its first ever “Strictly Learn Dancing” event.

 

 

The Hospice of St Francis is inviting 40 members of the public (20 males and 20 females) the opportunity to be trained by professional dance teachers, Brian & Shirley from Balia-Cusworth Dance School, and discover the delights of waltzing and cha-cha-cha-ing, culminating in a grand final performance on Saturday 27th November 2010. 

 

Nerves will be tested at the Grand Finalé at Hemel Hempstead Sportspace where all 20 couples will perform in front of an audience to compete for the Strictly Learn Dancing crown!

 

 

To add to the glamour, on the night contestants will enjoy the luxury of a FREE hairstyle, spray-on tan and makeover, courtesy of GORGEOUS BEAUTY and GORGEOUS HAIR (of Berkhamsted), PLUS stunning gowns will be provided by FROXY LADY (of Hemel Hempstead).

 

I am delighted to be supporting such a worthy charity as The Hospice of St Francis and pleased that you are using the wonderful world of dance to fundraise. I hope you will all embrace the challenge in the knowledge that whilst enjoying the fun of learning to ballroom dance, you are also helping those most in need at the most difficult time of life. Good luck and keep dancing!

Matthew Cutler of Strictly Come Dancing fame 

 

 

Event organiser Fran Martin said: “We are really excited about organising the Hospice’s first ever Strictly Learn Dancing event and encourage men and women to contact us quickly to avoid disappointment as places are limited. No formal dance training is required, we want complete beginners to take up the challenge and seize this rare opportunity.

 

We are so grateful to our supporters, Hemel Hempstead Sportspace for providing the venue, Baila-Cusworth Dance School for teaching our participants, Gorgeous Hair & Beauty who will be making our dancers look glamorous and to Froxy Lady Dress Hire who will be providing the stunning gowns on the night – their support enables us to keep our costs to a minimum and guarantees that every penny raised on the night will go towards the care of our patients.”

 

Stephen White from Froxy Lady says : "We are both delighted and honoured to be asked by the Hospice of St.Francis to provide our stunning gowns for their Strictly Learning Dance event 2010.  We have worked with the Hospice on many occasions over the past few years and feel proud to be associated with such a wonderful local organization. We wish the contestants and the Hospice good luck with this fundraising event." 

 

All participants will be encouraged to invite their friends and family to the Grand Finalé and to raise a minimum of £300 sponsorship to support the vital work of the Hospice. 

 

Participants need to be available to take part in regular training sessions over a 6 week period on Sunday evenings starting on Sunday 17th October and running up to the Grand Finalé on 27th November.

 

Closing date for applications is Wednesday 30th September 2010, successful applicants will be notified on this day.

 

For further information on how you can take part, please click here or email fran.martin@stfrancis.org.uk.

You can download an application form by clicking on the link on the right.

 

In association with:

 

 

  

 

 

Charlie swaps fruit and veg to launch online specialist eBay shop for the Hospice

 

16th July 2010

 

A Hemel man has swapped his fruit and veg selling skills to set up a profitable online business for local charity, Hospice of St Francis. 

 

 

Charlie O Toole, 19, from Hemel Hempstead has worked as a supermarket assistant at Waitrose in St Albans for the last two and a half years, but has just launched a new eBay site specialising in books, music memorabilia, records singles and electrical items for the Hospice.

 

His father, who had been suffering from prostrate cancer, passed away in May last year at the Hospice of St Francis, a charity based in Berkhamsted, which provides specialist palliative care for people who are seriously ill.

 

Charlie, who attended Townsend School in St Albans, wanted to give something back to thank the organisation who had helped support his Dad and his family at a difficult time. As a Partner, or employee of the John Lewis Partnership, he decided to apply for a charity secondment as part of its Golden Jubilee Trust scheme.

 

I am really please to have this opportunity to give something back to the Hospice for what they did for my Dad and my family . I am really enjoying my time here and would like to thank Waitrose, the Golden Jubilee Trust and the Hospice of St Francis for giving me the opportunity.

Charlie

 

Hospice of St Francis Retail Manager, Lin Underwood says, “The Hospice, which has its own eBay shop, needed help to sell many hundreds of books and records that have been donated to raise money for the Hospice. This special project seemed the perfect challenge for Charlie.”

 

“When Charlie contacted us and explained what he would like to do as part of the Golden Jubilee Trust scheme we were delighted, and jumped at the chance for him to help us!  He has spent months researching items and setting up this new specialist site which is now live to purchase from.  Some unique children's books have already been sold and rare vinyl and foreign books have gone online too.”

 

The Golden Jubilee Trust (GJT) was established as a charity in April 2000 as part of the Partnership's Golden Jubilee celebrations. Through the charity any Partner, regardless of age, seniority or length of service, can apply for a full- or part-time volunteering secondment with a UK registered charity for up to six months.

 

The GJT provides innumerable benefits, first and foremost to the charities it supports, by providing them with the resources and skills they need to meet their own objectives in serving the needs of the wider community.

 

Please visit www.stfrancisbooksandmusic.co.uk