I jumped at the chance to learn to dance ballroom with a fun and fast paced quickstep.  However, I under-appreciated the challenges of learning new skills in a foreign language of quicks and slows with hops, chasses and pivot turns.   The hardest aspect has been to make the difficult look both beautiful and effortless.  More daunting than performing my dance live in front of a judging panel and an audience of colleagues, friends and family, is perfecting the ballroom look (with hair, makeup and gown) that is far removed from my normal. It has been such fun spending the past 6 Sunday mornings with Rafal putting me through my paces, handing out high fives like they are "Hollywood Handshakes".  I hope that it goes all right on the night and that I "keep dancing" after the event.

I am doing all of this to raise funds for NSPCC because, today more than ever, vulnerable children and young people need support.

Childhood should be a time to dream, but Covid-19 has robbed many more children of that opportunity. Since the pandemic and lockdowns: 1 in 6 children now struggle with their mental health - up from 1 in 9. The NSPCC has seen a 3x increase in children talking to Childline about sexual abuse within the family. And, a 53% in domestic violence.We know that the right support at the right time can prevent both abuse and mental health problems from derailing the rest of a child's life.  

£4 answers a call to Childline from a child suffering in a silence. £25 covers an hour of therapy - rebuilding lives after abuse. 

Money raised can help put a child's life back on track.  Funds will help give thousands of children the support they need to dream of a brighter future.  Thank you for your generous donations.