Southport singing star Kelly Bond is looking to rally up support from local businesses as she competes in “Strictly Goes To The Movies”.
The competition, hosted in aid of Shelter – a charity raising funds and awareness to tackle homelessness, will see Kelly and nine others competing for the Strictly Glitter Ball at Blackpool Winter Gardens in February 2023.
Kelly is no stranger to fundraising racking up an impressive number of charitable performances over the years for charities such as Dementia UK, Alley Cats and Kittens, James Bulger House, Queenscourt Hospice, Mind, Cancer UK, The Diane Oxberry Trust and most recently co-hosting at the Ladies Day event for Southport Flower Show raising funds for multiple local good causes alongside Claire Simmo and ITV’s Paul Crone.
With only eight hours of training with her assigned pro she will be focusing all her time and energy on making sure her performance is one that Southport can be proud of.
She hopes to gain support from fellow Sandgrounders to help her reach her fundraising target.
Kelly said: “I have been blown away by support from local companies and individuals, I’m currently a few hundred pounds off my target but would love to exceed it.
“I appreciate times are hard for all and with Christmas around the corner some believe charity starts at home – but I’ll be competing for those who are not fortunate enough to have just that – a home.
“I’ve had donations from £5-£500 but any amount means the world to me.”
On her Just Giving page Kelly states her ambition – second only to the dream to sing with Jane McDonald – has always been to appear on Strictly, which has proved to be difficult without the required celebrity status, until now!
You can sponsor Kelly as an individual or business on her Kelly Does Strictly page on the Just Giving website and she will be crediting all sponsors on her social media channels during the launch of her rehearsals in January.
Kelly said: “I’m grateful to all who have sponsored so far but special mention must go to Holly Dental for their donation of £500 to kickstart my fundraising page.”
You can cheer Kelly on in person on February 11th at the famous Blackpool Empress Ballroom. Tickets include a welcome drink and three course meal, followed by coffee – information can be found here.
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