Strictly sisters dance in memory of mum
Family have raised an amazing £83k for hospice.. and counting!
Two sisters are hoping they have all the right moves for a good cause.
Tracy Docherty, from Strathaven, and Clare Cannon, from Toryglen, signed up for the Prince and Princess of Wales annual glittering dance competition (A Little Less) Strictly Come Dancing, which is based on the hit BBC show.
Now in its 12th year, the event involves members of the public and business community partnering with professional dance partners for an intensive three-month training regime before taking part in the highly competitive dance competition in front of judges and their families and friends.
The sisters have been raising money for the hospice since their much-loved mum Tess received care there at the end of 2009.
Always fit and “never unwell”, the family were shocked when Tess was diagnosed with lung cancer in August 2009.
She was admitted to the hospice three months later and spent her last two weeks being cared for at Carlton Place.
Clare, 51, said: “My mum was an amazing woman – she was a mother, a grandmother and a wonderful friend.
“The staff were angels who couldn’t do enough for mum and the rest of the family. It was my mum’s wish that we give something back to the hospice, but it is also our way of saying thank you for the help and care we received.
“It helped with the grieving process, keeping mum’s memory alive by talking and thinking about her while we planned events.”
Clare, Tracy and their family set up a tribute fund to raise money in memory of their mum and have carried out a host of fundraising events since then.
That included tackling a 10k with friends, a football memorial game and a tribute dance, The Tess Smyth Tribute Dance, which has become an annual yearly event attended by over 200 people.
The family have so far raised £83,000 for the hospice in their mum’s name over the past 12 years, but wanted to try and tackle something different this year.
Clare explained: “We wanted to do something extra special and while neither Tracy nor myself are amazing dancers, we are very determined to do all we can to raise as much money for the hospice.
“The dance training is exhausting, trying to remember all the dance moves but also keeping up with the physical exertion. But my partner, Marcus Littlejohn, is a fantastic coach and very patient, as is Tracy’s partner, Graeme Fox.”
And Clare says there might be a bit of sibling rivalry come the event itself, which was set to take place on March 12. She laughed: “Even though we are sisters, Tracy and I will be putting our best dance moves into action on the night against each other. There’s no harm in some friendly sibling competition.”
Rhona Baillie, chief executive of The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice, added: “The very best of luck to Clare and Tracy.
“They have been an exceptional support to the hospice over the past 12 years. They have become part of our hospice family and continue to support us in so many ways.
“They are so dedicated to the hospice and to fulfilling their mum’s wishes.
“Their fundraising has gone directly to helping support care at the hospice for other patients. In fact, one of the en-suite patient bedrooms in our newly built hospice is named after their mum.
“I am looking forward to seeing their performances at our event on March 12. Having seen their dancing prowess at The Tess Smyth Tribute Dance, I am sure they will impress the judges and the audience.”
Clare’s fundraising page can be found at www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/clare-cannon5 while Tracy’s can be seen on www. justgiving.com/fundraising/tracydocherty1
(A Little Less) Strictly Come Dancing is being held in The Hilton Hotel in Glasgow on Saturday, March 12, and will be hosted by Carol Smillie and Bryan Burnett, while BBC Strictly pro dancer guests will be on hand too.