FIVE couples are getting ready to strut their stuff in a bid to be crowned Strictly for the Lifeboats champions.
The annual fundraising event in aid of Dunbar RNLI was postponed last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Now, the dancers, including a firefighter, fish van owner and butcher, are getting ready to face the music.
Veronica Davies, organiser and Dunbar RNLI fundraising committee chairperson, was looking forward to the performances, which take place at 7pm next Friday and Saturday (October 1 and 2) at the Strawberry Barn on the outskirts of the town.
A matinee performance is also planned for next Saturday at 12.45pm.
She said: “Although we had to postpone the event last year, it was always our intention to hold it as soon as it was safe to do so.
“The dancers have put in so much work learning their routines it would be a shame if they had to miss out.
“Some of our original couples have sadly had to pull out because, naturally, their situations have changed. We thank them for their time and the effort they put in.
“However, we are delighted with the line-up we have. They are sure to put on a cracking show.”
This year’s Strictly couples are Michelle Higginbottom (nursery nurse and Beaver leader) and Ross Queen (joiner and firefighter); Irene Empson (housewife) and Terry Empson (butcher); Heather Stenhouse and Stewart Stenhouse (owners of Meg’s Flowers); Cheryl Bisset (team leader and fish van owner) and Craig Murdoch (analyst); and Lesley Howden (shop manager) and Callum Harley (Ineos worker).
Tickets are available for the shows and any ticket bought for the event last year will still be valid.
This year’s fundraiser will mark the fourth time the hugely popular event has been held.
Previous winners of the sold-out spectaculars have included Stuart Craig and Lynsey Courtney, and about £33,000 has been raised for the town’s RNLI.
Veronica hoped that, despite the long delay, Strictly for the Lifeboats would be another highlight of the year.
She said: “The popularity of Strictly continues to amaze me.
“When I first had the idea five years ago, I thought we’d have one night and maybe raise £1,200 for the RNLI.
“Back then we were going to hold it in the Royal British Legion but the demand exceeded all our expectations.
“We sold them in the RNLI shop and the poor volunteers there were rushed off their feet!
“The tickets sold out so fast I decided to move it to the Strawberry Barn and put on a second night to cope with the demand. We raised £6,500 that year.
“Since then we’ve added a matinee show on the Saturday and in total, over the four years, we have raised around £33,000, which is amazing.”
This year’s event will feature a movies theme, with film lovers urged to come along in costume.
Veronica added: “Usually each couple chooses a style of dance, like a salsa or a cha cha cha, but this year every couple will do a show dance, which incorporates different styles.
“The movies theme means people will recognise some dances and characters from their favourite films. They can join in the fun too – anyone who comes along in movie-themed fancy dress has a chance of winning a prize.”
Tickets for the evening shows, which are for over-18s only, with doors opening at 7pm for a 7.30pm start, are £15. Tickets for the 12.45pm matinee, which children can attend, are £7.50. Buy tickets by sending a private message to facebook.com/DunbarLifeboatFundraising
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