A Strictly Come Dancing-themed event has raised thousands for a Runcorn charity supporting children with cerebral palsy.

The glitzy black-tie event, at Thornton Hall Hotel and Spa in Thornton Hough on Saturday (November 11)  has so, far, raised £46,000 for Stick 'n' Step, which provides free weekly conductive education sessions to children and young people with cerebral palsy up to the age of 25, allowing them to gain the skills they need to live more independent lives.

Sessions are held at the charity's centres in Wallasey and Runcorn.

On the night of the 'Strictly' event, nine volunteers, each partnered with a professional, put on their dancing shoes and strutted their stuff on the dancefloor.

The evening was described as 'fab-u-lous' by organisers.

Each contestant had just 10 lessons over a couple of months to perfect a dance routine and the results were amazing, with some wonderful dancing on display.

Among them was Sarah Curtis, head teacher at Meadow Community Primary School in Ellesmere Port who lifted the glitterball trophy as the winner of the night.

She danced a Viennese waltz with professional dancer Mario from Turbo Dance, to the theme tune of Pirates of the Caribbean.

Sarah and her husband are long term supporters of Stick ‘n’ Step as Sarah’s best friend’s nephew, Oscar, has attended conductive education classes at the charity Stick ‘n’ Step for years.

Clare Letham, a GP whose five-year-old son Xander attends Stick ‘n’ Step’s Runcorn centre, won the People’s Choice award for her beautiful waltz to ‘How long will I love you’ by Ellie Goulding, with professional dancer Stephen from Licence to Dance.

Guests enjoyed a three-course meal before being treated to a showcase performance from the professional dancers and of course the Strictly-style competition itself. An auction and a raffle rounded off the evening.

Joanne Fowler, corporate fundraiser at Stick ‘n’ Step, said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to all our friends and supporters, including our sponsors Slater & Gordon, for making this year’s Strictly event such a success.

“The dancers worked so hard and really surpassed themselves. The funds raised will go towards providing our much-needed services for babies, children and young people across the region.

“Our Just Giving page is still open and it would be fantastic if we could reach £50,000, so anyone who wishes to donate can do so at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/strictlysticknstep2023.”

Stick relies on supporters and volunteers to help raise the £750,000 required to deliver its services to over 100 families each year.

For more about the charity, visit www.sticknstep.org.