A CHARITY dance event partnered by the Highland News has raised almost 50,000 for two local causes.
Strictly Inverness 2011 has so far raked in a whopping 46,000 for the Highland Hospice and the Inverness Ice Centre following a three-day dance extravaganza almost doubling last year's total of 24,000.
Hairdresser Alison McRitchie and businessman Martin Waugh were crowned winners of the charity spectacular which this year also included a juniors' contest.
Wendy Clark, communications officer for the hospice, said: "We are absolutely delighted with this year's Strictly Inverness and have received some wonderful feedback. Once all our sponsorship money is in, we hope to have raised 50,000 between the two charities. This will go a long way towards helping Highland Hospice continue to provide an excellent standard of care and support for our patients and their families.
"They are the reason we work so hard to ensure this event is a success."
She added: "It was so lovely to see all of the dancers' efforts paid off so well they truly were terrific.
"Congratulations to our adult winners and to Andrew Cullen and Zara Patience who won Strictly Inverness Juniors.
"All of the dancers are still on a massive high from it all. Thanks to everyone who helped us reach this fabulous total we are extremely grateful to you all."
Jane Fraser, commercial manager at the Ice Centre added: "It was a sensational event. On behalf of the Inverness Ice Centre I would just like to thank everyone for their efforts in pulling this event together.
"Yet again, it has been a pleasure to work with the Highland Hospice team and I am just thrilled with the success of Strictly 2011.
"A huge thanks to all the dancers, the dance teachers and the rink staff, they have all done an amazing job and I am delighted the Ice Centre has managed to firmly establish itself as a great place to hold such events."
Eight couples battled it out over two nights, but it was Alison, owner of The Head Gardener Salon in Inverness, and Martin, who owns the franchise for the Bathstore, who claimed victory.
All contestants had to complete a group dance and two individual routines and it was Alison and Martin's samba and their freestyle dance in which Martin ripped off Alison's dress which wowed the crowds and the judges.
Alison (42) who has two children, Aaron 15 and 12-year-old Brad, took part in memory of her dad Stan Moseley, who passed away in the hospice last November.
Alison, who lives in Westhill with her husband Steven said she was delighted her and Martin had won.
She told the HN: "I am still wired to the moon, it was a great experience. I had family come to watch from all over the world. One sister came from Paris, one from Saudi Arabia and one from London. I was dancing for our dad and it meant such a lot, especially for my mum, that everyone was there watching."
Martin (41), who lives near Tore with his wife Jill and children Rachel (5), Aaron (7) and 14-year-old step daughter Riona, added: "It was great to take part. Winning was unexpected in a sense. We were just excited to get through the dances without any mistakes after 12 weeks of training, so winning was an added bonus."
Winners of the Strictly junior event were 10-year-olds Andrew Cullen of Balloch Primary and Zara Patience who goes to Avoch Primary School who danced a?waltz.
