Strictly contestant aims to Jive up funds for children's hospice

Gio Castro, from Audenshaw, will be taking to the dance floor on March 4 in a Strictly-style dance competition raising vital funds for Francis House Children’s Hospice.

The hospice provides high levels of clinical care and respite not only to children and young adults with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, but also for their families.

The ‘Strictly Francis House’ event will see ten brave supporters coupled up with a professional dancer from Topaz Dance School, performing a ‘movie’ dance routine.

All guests will enjoy a glass of fizz on arrival, followed by a three-course meal. A raffle and auction will add to the evening plus Darren Proctor will be hosting the event.

Next month will mark 13 years of Gio working at the hospice so what better way for him to celebrate this than putting on a pair of dance shoes and showcasing his passion for dancing, with all proceeds directly supporting a cause he loves!

Gio said: “I’m a huge fan of the programme ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, I watch it every year. When I was approached by the fundraising department at the hospice about this ‘Strictly’-themed charity event they were organising, I didn’t realise that I’d actually be competing for it.

“Those that know me well will agree that I definitely love dancing, but that doesn’t mean I’m actually any good at it!

“I met my dance partner Rebecca a few weeks ago and we began learning the routine, she was very patient with me and I’ve not stepped on anyone’s toes yet (literally)!

“Over the years, I have met lots of parents and children who are truly inspirational.

“I feel very privileged to have the opportunity to help and provide support to all of these families. I thoroughly enjoy the job and I’m so passionate about it, it’s so rewarding and such a privilege every single day.

“Where I’m from originally and where I did my nursing, in the Philippines, we didn’t have any healthcare setting as such; so coming here I knew this was something I had to do, I knew it would be a great experience for me. And I didn’t realise just how long it would last!”

You can contribute to Gio’s fundraising at his JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fund-raising/giocastro or if you’d like to join in on the night of glitz and glamour, contact lucy.thompson@francishouse.org.uk for your tickets.