Tag: Strictly Come Dancing

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Strictly star enjoys festive floristry with patients

A Strictly Come Dancing champion brought some sparkle to a festive wreath-making session at Willow Wood Hospice.

Ellie Leach, who is a patron of the Hospice, joined Wellbeing patients for an afternoon of craft and creativity last Thursday (12th December).

The workshop in The Hive – the Hospice’s Wellbeing activity space – was led by volunteer Brenda Wardle and her granddaughter Sarah.

Brenda sourced some of the materials to make the wreaths and some came from generous donations from the local community through our charity shops.

Julie Moran, Wellbeing Team Leader at Willow Wood, said: “Our patients had a wonderful time creating their festive wreaths alongside Ellie.

“Her kindness, enthusiasm and down-to-earth nature brought so much joy to the session. We thank Ellie so much for making the day extra special.

“Creativity and crafts help to enhance mental health and wellbeing by reducing stress, boosting mood and enabling self-expression and mindfulness.”

Willow Wood – based in Ashton-under-Lyne – provides specialist, compassionate and dignified care to patients from Tameside and Glossop with any life-limiting illness, empowering them to live as well as possible for as long as possible.

The Hospice’s patrons believe in the aims of Willow Wood, help raise valuable funds for its work and generate awareness of achievements and campaigns.

In October 2023, Ellie became the youngest-ever patron of the Hospice – where her grandad died.

The 23-year-old – who was last year’s winner of the BBC show Strictly Come Dancing – is best known for playing Faye Windass in ITV’s Coronation Street for 12 years before leaving the cobbles last year.

Ellie, who lives in Audenshaw, says she enjoyed the experience of meeting patients and encourages the local community to continuing supporting the Hospice.

“I had such a lovely time talking to the patients, seeing their creativity shine and getting into the festive spirit with them – the final creations looked superb,” said Ellie.

“The environment at the Hospice is so warm and welcoming. I feel very proud to be able to support such a fantastic place, which really needs all of our support.

“If you can make a donation however small, volunteer your time or buy from Willow Wood’s charity shops, you really will be making a difference.”

The Wellbeing team provides personalised, emotional and psychological support through one-to-one and group sessions, focused on being active and promoting mindfulness, relaxation and self-care and complementary therapies.

If you or someone you know is living with a life-limiting illness in Tameside and Glossop, you can find out what support could be available to you by calling 0161 330 1100.

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Dancers set to shine as ‘Willow Wood does Strictly’

Willow Wood Hospice is putting on an entertaining night of glitz and glamour in support of patients from the local community in its care.

Inspired by the popular BBC show Strictly Come Dancing, ‘Willow Wood does Strictly’ will be taking over the George Lawton Hall in Mossley on Friday 11th October from 7pm until late.

Couples will compete in front of a live audience and a panel of judges, in the hope of being crowned the coveted title of the Hospice’s glitterball champion for 2024.

In the build-up to the big night, they are working with local professional dance schools to learn a dazzling routine to perform on stage.

The Hospice is still looking for one couple to get involved – it’s a great opportunity to learn a new skill with expert tuition and a fun way to raise vital funds for Willow Wood.

Each couple taking part is being closely supported with their fundraising efforts by the Hospice’s Fundraising team.

If you would like to sponsor any of the dancers, you can donate your chosen amount at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/willowwooddoesstrictly

Lisa Pye and Dave Egerton coupled up for last year’s event, performing a disco routine on the night to ‘Saturday Night Fever’ by The Bee Gees.

Lisa, Volunteer Services Manager at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “It was the best most challenging experience of my life but it made me feel really good.

“I was surprised by just how many people wanted to sponsor us. I would encourage anyone to give it a go or buy a ticket for what is a great night.”

Dave, the Hospice’s Maintenance Manager, added: “It was a fantastic experience and I enjoyed learning the dance routine. I had a great dance partner and we have become friends since.

“There was a combination of nerves and excitement on the night but knowing my friends and family were there to support me made all the difference. I’m really glad I did it, it brought me out of my comfort zone.”

The event will be hosted by Theo Mayne, who was a contestant in the first series of the hit BBC show The Traitors, and podcast host and celebrant Jane Valentine.

On the judging panel will be author, broadcaster and former politician Edwina Currie Jones; World Championship hip hop dancer and Team England athlete Alice-Jane Evans; Latin Steps world champion and dance instructor Aimee Bailey; and Latin Steps dance champion and instructor Sara.

Tickets for ‘Willow Wood does Strictly’ are £25 per person – which includes welcome drinks and canapes. They can be bought online at https://willowwood.org.uk/events/strictly/

The Hospice is also appealing to local residents and businesses for donations of prizes which could be included in the raffle or auction on the night.

Vanessa Murphy-Wood, Community and Events Fundraiser at Willow Wood Hospice, commented: “We are really excited about ‘Willow Wood does Strictly’, which promises to be a memorable night.

“We are very grateful to everyone who is supporting the event, especially our dancers who each have their own story about why they want to take part for Willow Wood.

“We hope as many people as possible from the local community can come along to the event and support our dancers, as well as patient care at our Hospice.”

Anyone who is interested in being a dancer or is able to help with prizes can get in touch with Vanessa by emailing vanessa.murphy-wood@willowwood.org.uk or calling 0161 330 7788.

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Willow Wood patron becomes Strictly champion

Willow Wood Hospice patron Ellie Leach blew the competition off the dancefloor to be crowned a worthy winner of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. 

The 22-year-old actress from Tameside emerged victorious in the youngest-ever final line-up on Saturday night to lift the glitter ball trophy, ahead of actors Bobby Brazier, 20, and Layton Williams, 29.

Ellie, who was the bookmakers’ favourite to win, performed three dances with partner Vito Coppola – one chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a show dance.

The four judges gave advisory scores but the final decision was taken by the public through a vote, which Ellie topped after 12 weeks of tangos, salsas and foxtrots.

“I genuinely cannot believe this,” Ellie said on BBC One in the aftermath of being announced as the 21st winner of the show.

“For once, he [Vito] is crying more than me,” she said. She turned to her dance partner and said: “This is for you.”

Ellie, a former pupil of Fairfield High School For Girls in Droylsden and Aldwyn Primary School in Audenshaw, is best known for her 12 years playing Faye Windass on ITV soap Coronation Street.

Her family, friends and ex-Corrie co-stars cheered her on from Ellie’s hometown pub The Snipe in Audenshaw on the night and celebrated her success.

Ellie has described her experience on Strictly as “life-changing” and totally different to filming scenes on the famous Corrie cobbles.

Her exhilarating and versatile performances wowed the judges and audiences both in the studio and at home throughout.

In the early weeks of the competition, back in October, Ellie agreed to become Willow Wood’s youngest ever patron. She was already a friend of the Hospice, where her grandad sadly died.

Everyone at Willow Wood congratulates Ellie on her achievement and cannot wait to welcome her back at the Hospice as a Strictly champion.

In the build-up to the final, staff from across the Hospice wished Ellie good luck:

And this is how we congratulated Ellie on her victory on our social media channels:

By Adam Higgins