Business Come Dancing raises the roof at The Hilton Bournemouth
2 Dec 2024
News Story
On Friday 22nd November our annual ‘Strictly’ style fundraiser Business Come Dancing took to the dance floor at the Phoxtrott Ballroom at the Hilton Hotel, Bournemouth. After 3 months of blisters, sweat and tears, our 8 contestants lit up the floor, bringing us all the styles and flair, from Latin to Charleston, Jive to Contemporary and Tap to Commerical, with lifts, floor spins and an array of costumes fit for Strictly!
Pavilion Dance is a charity with the mission to transform communities through dance and this event helps us to raise much needed funds to support our community health and wellbeing programmes – supporting communities such as Parkinson’s Dance and Shift – our wellbeing programme for secondary schools, amongst many other projects. This year we’re aiming to raise £20k through table sponsorship, raffles, silent auctions, donations and contestant fundraising. We’ve raised £19k so far with more offline donations coming in. Still time to donate to individual contestants or the main fundraising pot here https://www.givey.com/paviliondancesouthwestlimited
Everyone did a fantastic job and after much deliberation by our judges, the Business Come Dancing winners were announced:
Winner: Sharon Drake, Heathland House Care Home (Cinammon Care Collective) & Lawrence James
Runners-up: Jess Bain, Halo Design Associates & Char Morris
Runners-up: Rachel Atkinson, The People Choreographer & Jazz Gritt
Full line-up of contestants and dance partners
Rachel Atkinson, The People Choreographer & Jazz Gritt
Jess Bain, Halo Design Associates & Char Morris
Janet Beech, Retired Nurse & Simon Cruwys
Alana Burton, Poole Bay Pet Services & Ruby Adams
Anna Curtis, Frettens LLP & Mandy Henderson
Catherine Gregg, RT Promotions & Julie Wathen
Alice Meehan & Joanna Wheeler, Savills & Hannah Malone
Sharon Drake, Heathland House Care Home (Cinammon Care Collective) & Lawrence James
Our judges
Lea Martin - Well known local entertainer and set to become the new Chair of BourneFree
Caron Khan - Well known local business leader and former president of the Dorset Chamber of Commerce
Fiona McArthur - Bournemouth Coastal BID Manager
Natasha Player - Board Co-Chair at Pavilion Dance and champion of diversity and inclusion
Our host
Steve Harris, BBC Radio Solent
Our winners Sharon and Lawrence will be performing their dance once again at our Open Doors community event on Sat 25th January 2025.
Our participant's feedback
Every one of our contestants had a story to tell, about taking part, what it means to them, why they wanted to push themselves and what the whole journey has given them. We truly believe that dance can transform lives and here’s just a few quotes from our contestants:
What a night. What an incredible experience it is, the privilege of learning to dance with a professional, the joy of sharing the experience with others and, something that can’t be underestimated…the support from the Pavilion Dance family. Every one of you has been so welcoming and supportive. This has been the best thing ever.
I can’t believe from being a non-dancer to actually winning Business Come Dancing – I’m in shock, it’s amazing. To anyone thinking about it, just do it!
It was the most beautiful evening. I’m so honoured to be part of it all. The atmosphere in the room was electric and I’m so proud to share it with every single one of you. Beautiful dances, talented pros and memories that will last forever. I didn’t want it to end!! I’ve got the dance bug back and that’s it forever now.
A huge thank you to our sponsors and partners
A huge thanks to all our sponsors and partners including: The Print Agency (print), Cuco Creative (design), The GreenFox (flowers), Laser Crystal (trophies), The Real Greek Bournemouth (cast catering), the Hilton Bournemouth (venue), Katryna Rykun (hair), Skin by Lynne (make up) and all prize donations from We Out Here, City Cruises, Stewarts, Rock Reef, Dorset Diving Services, redManhattan photography, Hall & Woodhouse, bhlive, Bad Hand Coffee, Beaulieu, and Farmer Palmers.
Inspired to take part in 2025?
We’re recruiting now for Business Come Dancing 2025. If you’re inspired to step out and take up the challenge then please contact our Business Come Dancing event producer Cheryl Baldacchino via email: cheryl.baldacchino@pdsw.org.uk
More about our annual Business Come Dancing fundraising event and how to get involved: https://www.pdsw.org.uk/take-part/business-come-dancing/