Irlam woman Gill Bailey will be tripping the light fantastic – But STRICTLY raising funds for a fantastic charity!
Next month Gill will be putting on her dancing shoes and sparkly dress to take part in the ‘Strictly Best Foot Forward 2026’, raising much needed funds for Bury Hospice.
Gill said, “I lived in Bury for a few years before moving to Irlam and knew of the Bury Hospice and the great work they do. I went on a tour of the Hospice, and it was really moving to see the support that they give and I just wanted to help them.”
Gill has been putting in the hard steps with dance partner Sarah, one of fifteen couples that will be going before the judges at Holy Cross College in Bury on the 18th of April. All the competitors have never done a competition before, and Gill has undergone 12 weeks of lessons at the Lark School of Dance in Little Lever with the ‘Cha Cha’ her chosen dance routine.
As well as taking to the floor a nerve-wracking experience for Gill she has also with the support of friends and family organised a ‘bottomless’ tea, coffee and cake day at Cadishead Band room and a fundraising film night again at the popular Band room showing what else – yes, Strictly Ballroom. Both events were well attended and added hundreds of pounds to the fundraising for Bury Hospice.
Gill said, “I am looking forward to the dance night, but I will be a little nervous! I would like to thank all the volunteers and cake bakers for supporting the fundraisers, Kingsland Drinks, Iram Station and Ferryhill ‘Chippy’ for their donations, everyone who came along to the film night and Cadishead Band for the use of their venue. Bury Hospice is a fantastic cause, and I just want to raise as much money as possible for them.”
We wish Gill every success with the dancing and fundraising.
