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Daily waltzes its way towards cancer appeal target

A dance competition organised with the help of a regional newspaper raised almost £35,000 towards the creation of a cancer treatment unit.

Strictly Northampton is held every year and invites couples to compete to raise funds for the Northampton Chronicle and Echo’s charity campaign with Macmillan Cancer Support to raise £1.55 million to fund a new blood cancer treatment unit at Northampton General Hospital.

The event took place at Royal & Derngate in Northampton at the end of November and funds raised have now been tallied up and handed over.

Editor David Summers said: “In all, the event raised nearly £35,000 thanks to the generosity of the public and the fantastic fund-raising by the contestants.

“It was a really special night and thanks go to all those involved.”

Eighteen people that are well-known names in the city took to the dance floor with semi-professional dance partners from local dance school Step by Step Dance School to perform a waltz, jive and freestyle routine in front of judges including Strictly Come Dancing star Brian Fortuna.

The competition was won by Northamptonshire County cricketer Rob White and his dance partner Ruth Supple.

Crime reporter John Harrison also took part in the event as a way of practicing for the first dance at his wedding this year.

Bernadette Halton, Macmillan fund-raising manager covering Northamptonshire, collected the money.

She said: “Strictly Northampton was a thoroughly enjoyable evening, and it was a pleasure to see so many people giving Macmillan such support.

“We would ask that anyone else who thinks they can help raise money for us – no matter the amount – gets in touch and helps us reach our target as soon as possible.”