Dance pair have a ball for hospice
Killearn resident Philip Friel is polishing his footwork skills to raise funds for a hospice appeal.
The 41-year-old dad-of-four is stepping well outside his comfort zone to perform rumba at a black-tie fundraiser for The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice at the Glasgow Hilton tomorrow (Saturday).
He has teamed up with professional dance tutor and ballroom champion Kerry Montgomery for (A Little Less) Strictly Come Dancing.
Philip, who is clinical director at Philip Friel Advanced Dentistry in Glasgow, said:“I’m on my feet all day while caring for patients and I do move about a lot around the surgery chair during appointments but this is movement on a very different level.
“There’s so much concentration required to make sure all the limbs are doing the right thing at the right time.
“I knew it could be tough but didn’t think it would be quite so difficult.
“I’ve got a great teacher in Kerry, who I have to say is extremely patient and has kept me totally focused in every training session.
“We usually meet around 6.30 in the morning to get our training done before we go to work.
“It’s been a big commitment but it’s all for such a worthwhile cause.
“The event is a sell-out and I’ve got lots of friends and family coming along for support so I’m guessing their eyes will be on my dancing feet.
“I’ll take the ribbing so long as I can get their sponsorship in return.”
Philip and Kerry are joining seven other couples for the event, which is being hosted by Carol Smillie. BBC Strictly stars Oti Mabuse and Giovanni Pernice will perform a show dance.
Each contestant was asked to raise at least £3000 and Philip has already hit the £13,000 mark.
The event organisers are hoping to raise £100,000 for the Glasgow hospice.
Philip said:“It’s been overwhelming as patients, friends, family and business associates have all dug deep to contribute to the appeal. I’m hugely appreciative and I just keep thinking about their generosity during the weekly training sessions.
“This has been such a different experience for me but it’s been a lot of fun.”
Philip has a donations page at www.justgiving. com/fundraising/ philip-friel.