Dancing to charity success
Jean helps to raise cash
A Hamilton woman proved she has serious rhythm after winning a record-breaking dance competition that helped raise over £100,000 for charity.
Jean Bonner, of Earnock, scooped the glitterball prize at the annual (A Little Less) Strictly Come Dancing fundraising night, organised by The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow.
A fabulous night of glitter and glamour, hosted by TV presenters Carol Smillie and David Farrell, the event saw eight couples – made up of a hospice supporter and professional dancer – compete for the trophy.
Jean, a director of Lanarkshire company Cleansweep, performed the Brazilian samba with Frederico Ribeiro and it was hailed by the judges as a difficult but incredibly beautiful routine.
A delighted Jean said: “It’s been a fantastic experience. I honestly could not believe it when I won. I was in complete shock, as I’ve never had any form of professional dancing before. I really had to pinch myself.
“The hospice is a wonderful charity to support and I’ve loved every minute of the training and fundraising.
“The whole team of participants should be very proud of themselves. The amount of money raised, over £100,000, was phenomenal.”
Judges included Strictly Come Dancing’s Giovanni Pernice and Oti Mabuse, along with award-winning actor Kathleen Mcdermott. The hospice provides palliative care to 1200 patients and families every year.