So I have dusted of my dancing shoes and I'm ready to start training for Strictly St Lukes 2019!

Last New Year's Eve I set myself the challenge of getting back to the dance floor and enjoying dancing as I used to many years ago.   Don't get me wrong, I am certainly no pro, but lots of fun!!  As Summer approached, the year and my New year's resolution were beginning to pass me by.  However, a challenge of a different kind was just around the corner, when I saw the information urging me to take part in Strictly St Luke's 2019!

I pondered for a long time whether to apply and as the closing date for applications started to loom closer, we heard the devastating news that my dear Mum was suffering from breast cancer.  Together, we faced the dreaded appointments and the ensuing news of new investigations/treatments and I won't lie in saying this was a very difficult time.  The mum who had always been there for me was at risk of being swept away by this awful C word.  A word now I still find hard to use, as stereo typically it catastrophises your future.

With uncertainty looming, I took the brave decision to apply for this fabulous event, where myself and 9 other contestants will train, raise money and come head to head in a live final at the Civic Hall in Grays on 16th March 2019 (tickets will be available).  I will speak honestly and say that at the time of applying I was unsure of the future.  My mum used to deliver me to dance lessons rigorously when I was younger and at the time of applying I wanted to make sure I had an end goal.  One where I could make my Mum smile.

Thankfully, my Mum was one of the lucky ones.  Despite a bumpy journey to diagnosis, the cancer was caught early and her future is looking rosy!  I can't wait to dance on 16th March, with my Mum and my loved ones in the audience cheering me on.

I am a local Primary school teacher and I have seen families devastated by this life changing illness.  They say to look for a positive in every negative and that's where St Luke's comes in.  St Luke's and other local hospices are the places the families of the children I care for, turn to in such a scenario.  They provide home from home and an environment of support for children and whole families to be together.

Most of you know, what a big deal this is for me.  I am very reeved and dancing with an audience of 500 people, who will be able to vote for me is huge!  I am raising funds for St Luke's Hospice, Basildon and Thurrock.  please please help me!  The more money I raise (every 100 over 500) gives me an extra point to take through to the dance off!

I will be giving blog updates and with my first 'lesson' on Tuesday, I can't wait to get the feet tapping!

For anyone of you who don't know, St. Lukes Hospice in Basildon 
has a wide range of services and can provide In -patient care, Day Hospice care (which includes an Outpatients Clinic), Hospice at Home, OneResponse Service , various bereavement services for both adults and children, social work services, support groups for both patients and carers, complementary therapies and much more.