Dancing in memory of mum
Two sisters strutted their stuff on the dance floor – and helped raise a whopping £75,000 for a Glasgow hospice in the process.
The Reformer previously told how siblings Clare Cannon and Tracy Docherty were taking part in a Strictly Come Dancing event to support the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice.
Although the duo didn’t dance away with the trophy, they did help the event to be a massive success, with former Strictly star AJ Pritchard making a special guest appearance and performing his best moves too.
Tracy, from Strathaven, and Clare, from Toryglen, were taking part to honour their beloved mum, Tess Smyth, who received care at the hospice back in 2010.
Since their mum passed away the siblings have taken part in numerous fund raising events, raising an impressive £83,000 in the process.
They enjoyed their latest challenge at the (A Little Less) Strictly Come Dancing event, where they were paired with professional dancers and learned various routines over a three-month period.
Clare said: “I was so scared I’d freeze and forget my routines as it’s the first time I’ve ever done anything like this but it all went great. It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. I met so many lovely people and there was a great buzz. I had great support, with around 60 or 70 people I knew there, among a crowd of 600.
“I think even my kids were pleasantly surprised at how I did.”
Tracy, who volunteers at the hospice, added: “My mum wanted us to give back for all the care she and the whole family received.
“The hospice allowed me to change my role from carer for my mum back to being a daughter. Since then, we’ve been doing all we can to support the hospice.”
Around 1200 patients are cared for by the facility each year, both in the hospice at Bellahouston Park and within the community.
It costs £5 million to provide free care to the people of Glasgow, with approximately £2m of that coming from the NHS, while the rest is fundraised at events like (A Little Less) Strictly Come Dancing.
Among the judges were AJ and his dance partner Abbie Quinnen, along with Glasgow entertainer Edward Reid and John Comrie, the head judge and the chairman of the British Association of Professional Teachers of Dancing of Scotland, who all marked each couple and gave feedback on style and technical ability.
Broadcasters Bryan Burnett and Carol Smillie hosted the night, with the glitterball trophy going to Jax Wrightson and her dance partner Kevin Nicoll.
Tracy and Clare are planning to hold a tribute dance fundraising event in October.