Strictly Come Dancing Challenge for St Andrew’s Hospice

Wallace Quinn Managing Director John Quinn has been hard at work in the dance studio in his spare time in recent months as he prepares for a charity fundraiser in aid of St Andrew’s Hospice.

John and professional dance partner Sharon Millar, have been learning the Quickstep and will be performing it at a ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ charity event on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 February.

Click here to make a donation to John’s St Andrew’s Hospice challenge

John says,

‘I’ve definitely quick-stepped out of my comfort zone with this particular challenge, but I’m in awe of the fantastic work undertaken by the staff at St Andrew’s Hospice and I’m happy to do anything I can to help, even if it means facing a fear of falling flat on my face on a public dancefloor!”

The Quickstep is a fast-flowing ballroom dance which takes elements from the Charleston and the Foxtrot and was first performed in the 1920s. It is one of the five ballroom dances currently competed internationally by professional dancers along with the Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango and Viennese Waltz.

John says,

‘It’s a very dynamic dance with lots of movement on the dance floor.  The ‘quick’ in ‘quick step’ is nearly running pace with lots of hops, skips, points, flicks, kicks and crossing of the feet, all of which has to be coordinated between the two dancers. Mastering the steps is the first of three things you have to get right.  The second is posture, where you’re aiming for an elegant look and upper body posture that is both strong and straight. Once you’ve happy with the first two, you’ve then got to put it all together with the music and try to make everything appear seamless.  I’m surprised at just how technical and just how difficult it is to put everything together.’

John has even brought his dance shoes to work and has been seen occasionally dancing to his next appointment in the office.  John will take to the floor at the two sold out events later this month and we wish him every success.

John is hoping to raise £5000 for If you would to help John in his fundraising challenge, he has a ‘just giving page’ at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/john-quinn39

St Andrew’s Hospice provides care and support to patients and their families tailored to meet their individual needs. The goal is to provide physical, psychological, social and spiritual care for patients in a calm, peaceful and welcoming environment. The Hospice care for patients with a range of needs including symptom management, rehabilitation as well as end of life care. They ensure our patients live as actively as they can, for as long as they can and ensure they have the best quality of life possible.