Here's how you can get involved in Strictly NHS - and support Blackpool's own dancing queen

Yvonne, from Marton, who was a neo-natal nurse at Blackpool Victoria Hospital for 25 years, is one of 12 contestants from around the country taking part in the charity dance competition.

The mum-of-three says the contest couldn’t have come at a better time to give her a much-needed lift following the death of her beloved husband, Steve, who died of motor neurone

disease last year, aged 66.

Yvonne, who has four grandchildren, said: “Losing my Steve, I thought things couldn’t get any worse.

“I was with him from being 18. He had motor neurone disease and I cared for him for the last three years.

“It’s been really hard so Strictly NHS has given me this buzz.”

Yvonne retired eight years ago but missed the camaraderie of working at the hospital so much that she returned to the neo-natal unit as a housekeeper.

She added: “With everything with coronavirus, it’s given everyone a lift at work too. They sing the Strictly theme music when I come into work.

“I’m shocked that I got through. I’m the only person from Blackpool so I did really well to get through.

“I’m not a trained dancer but I have always enjoyed dancing. I’m always the first one up on the dance floor, I’ve done a bit of waltz, and I love watching Strictly Come Dancing. I always

said to my husband that I’d love to take part.”

Yvonne has been paired with dancer Alex Whyatt, and – due to current coronavirus restrictions – the duo will start their training over a video call this Friday.

The contest has been organised by Alison Slinger – owner of The Crown Ballroom, based at Farmer Parr’s in Fleetwood – who aims to raise £10,000 for Blackpool Teaching Hospitals

charity, Blue Skies Hospitals Fund.

The 12 contestants will be trained by professional dance partners before performing at the Empress Ballroom, Blackpool, in front of a judging panel later this year.

The panel will include James Wilson, the show’s dance supervisor, and three pros from the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, who are yet to be announced.

Alison, 34, from Anchorsholme, explained it was a tough job to whittle it down to the final six ladies and six men after receiving more than 2,000 entries.

She said: “ We have been over-whelmed by the response. It’s boosting morale and it’s a great way to give back to the NHS.

“The final 12 are itching to get going now. They’ll start their training virtually and then they can see each other in person after lockdown once it is deemed safe.”

Members of the public can get involved in Strictly NHS by taking part in its Cha Cha Challenge before February 16. Dance fans can learn the routine on the Strictly NHS Facebook page,

film themselves, post the video and make a donation on the contest’s Just Giving Page.

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/yvonne-hurstAnd for more information about Strictly NHS, visit https://www.strictlynhs.co.uk

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